Henry C. Spengler First Lieutenant, United States Army

Born in 1893, Lieutenant Spengler was killed-in-action in World War I on September 27, 1918 while serving with the 47th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.

He was cited for gallantry in action and it was reported that “While on a reconnaissance to establish contact with an adjacent regiment, he advanced ahead of the lines, under heavy enemy fire, until he was killed by enemy artillery fire.”

He is buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery near the gravesites of Henry Mershon Spengler II, who was killed in the crash of his helicopter in Germany, and Henry Mershon Spengler III, who was killed in action in Vietnam.  Research continues as to the Lieutenant’s background.

In January 2023, the historian for the 4th Infantry Division wrote:

“Unfortunately I cannot provide any more information on the death of First Lieutenant Spengler.

On 27 September 1918, his regiment was in the vicinity of Montfaucon and Cuisy, France. The Division history reports the losses as “severe.” The 47th was part of the 7th Brigade which was composed of the 39th Infantry and the 47th Infantry.  On 27 September 1918, the brigade was attempting to move forward into the Bois de Brieuelles. Their lines extended from Hill 295 northeastward along the edge of the Bois de Septsarges, through the Bois de Brieulles to the edge of the woods on Hill 80.

SPENGLER, HENRY

• 1ST LT CO K, 47TH INF, 4TH DIV
• VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
• DATE OF DEATH: 10/05/1918
• DATE OF INTERMENT: 09/14/1921
• BURIED AT: SECTION EH; S  SITE 4452
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard