BASS-BOWEN-BRITTENHAM-BUNDY-FRANKLIN-KNOX

​

Post 55, Bass-Bowen-Brittenham-Bundy-Franklin-Knox, enjoys a long and storied history. Post 55 was originally Chartered on September 26, 1919, as Post 55 Bowen-Franklin-Knox. Meanwhile, Post 142 Bass-Brittenham-Bundy, was originally chartered on September 16, 1955. In 2008 Post 142 joined with Post 55 and a new Charter was issued on April 27, 2012, for Post 55 Bass-Bowen-Brittenham-Bundy-Franklin-Knox. 

​

We are now one Post working toward a unified mission to support Veterans, Veterans’ families, and our community.

​

POST 55 NAMESAKES

​

Pvt Harry L. Bowen:  Pvt Bowen was a member of the pre-war Washington Guards, the 2d Virginia National Guard unit based in Fredericksburg. He was severely wounded in the last month of WW I, serving with Company K, 116th Infantry, 29th Division. He died just 16 days before the War ended, wounded during the final push through the Argonne Forest. Bowen rests in a soldier’s grave in the Fredericksburg Military Cemetery on Lafayette Blvd.

​

Pvt Mercer W. Franklin:  Pvt Franklin served with Company D, 167th Infantry, 42nd Division (Rainbow Division). He was severely wounded at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel on October 18, 1918, and died of his wounds on December 18, 1918.

​

Pvt Douglas H. Knox:  Pvt Knox was the first man from Fredericksburg to die in battle. He served with the 6th Marines, 2nd Infantry Division. Described in the Free-Lance Star as a young man of excellent character and an active member of St. George’s Church. He was severely wounded during the action in Belleau Wood. He was moved from hospital to hospital around the front until his death at the 1st Military Hospital at Juilly, France on July 16, 1918, and was buried in France.

 

POST 142 NAMESAKES

​

Lt. Urbane F. Bass:  Lt Bass was killed near Menthois, France on October 6, 1918, while serving as a medical officer with the 372nd Infantry, 93rd Division. Too old to be normally considered for service in the field he wrote to President Wilson and volunteered his services as a doctor. He was truly a hero, succumbing to his wounds after going into no-man’s land, time and again, to rescue and treat his wounded comrades. His action was recognized by France when he was awarded the Croix de Guerre, their medal for valor. He was also recognized with the posthumous award of our second highest medal for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

​

Lt Bass was also a member of a group who didn’t receive the recognition they deserved for their great contribution in the First World War. He served with the legendary all-black 93rd (Red Hand) Division who fought valiantly alongside of French Colonial Troops on the Western Front. In an era when blacks of the community were only 50 years out of slavery, Lt Bass had become a medical doctor and practiced medicine in Fredericksburg as early as 1905. His loss to our community was, indeed, a great one and he is buried in the National Military Cemetery on Lafayette Blvd.

​

Pvt Eugene W. Brittenham:  The circumstances surrounding Pvt Brittenham’s death are unknown. Old newspaper articles only mention that he died while in service during the great Flu Epidemic of 1918-1919.

​

Pvt Charles H. Bundy:  Pvt Bundy never got to The Front, but he still met his fate because of the War. He enlisted on August 2, 1918. Unfortunately, he also fell victim to the terrible flu epidemic. Stricken while in training at Camp Upton, New York, he died in October 1918 after only two months of service.

​

​