Lloyd Lefever Denlinger (1898-1918)

Lloyd Lefever Denlinger was born on June 12, 1898 in Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Mennonite parents. His father, Amos Herr Denlinger, worked as a baker. His mother was Christiana “Christie” Keneagy Denlinger. The couple had one older son, Percy Keneagy Denlinger. By 1910, the family had moved to Pittsburgh, and father Amos picked up a job in the retail furniture business, and finally in an automobile factory. The family lived at 524 Paulson Ave.
While at Peabody High School, Denlinger was a member of the 1913 track team, and lettered in the sport. In general, Denlinger enjoyed the outdoors, and was an active member of the local Oneco Canoe Club.
On Jul. 27, 1917, Denlinger enlisted in the Army as a private first-class with the 107th Field Artillery Regiment, Battalion F, 28th Division (formerly the 1st Pennsylvania Field Artillery). Denlinger is described as being 5 feet, 6 ½ inches tall, with a fair complexion, light hair, and blue eyes. The 107th set sail from Brooklyn, New York for Europe aboard the Saturnia on May 18, 1918.
The military engagements that Denlinger participated in are not listed in his Veterans Service and Compensation files. However, the 107th is on record as participating in the Oise-Aisne Offensive, which began on Aug. 11, 1918. They also took part in the Ypres-Lys Offensive, which was launched on Aug. 19 to liberate Belgium and parts of northeast France. Neither of these offensives came to a close until Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918.
Lloyd Lefever Denlinger was killed in action on Sept. 6, 1918. The location of his final resting place is not clear.