Ova D. A. Hazelbaker, World War I Casualty

Ova Daniel Abraham Hazelbaker was the son of Henry Hazelbaker and Amanda Jane Pence of Gaston, Indiana. He was born 7 July 1889, the oldest surviving child ahead of sister, Iza. Another sibling died very young.

Ova was living and farming near Gaston when he registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. I paperwork described him as being of medium height, medium build, with light blue eyes and black hair. 

World War I Draft Registration

He enlisted in the Army on 21 September 1917, in Muncie, Indiana. After basic training at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, he was assigned serial number 1977304 and sent to 57th Company, 15th Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Later he was transferred to Camp Logan at Houston, Texas, then to Camp Upton, Long Island, New York. On 1 October 1917, Ova was transferred to Company A, 334th Infantry, and served with that unit until 1 April 1918.

He was shipped overseas on 16 May 1918, departing Hoboken, New Jersey, on 16 May 1918, travelling third class aboard the SS Agamemnon, a captured German passenger formerly known as the SS  Kaiser Wilhelm II. At that time, he was attached to Company L, 130th Infantry, 33rd Division and sailing with all companies of the 130th A through M. On August 28th of that year, Ova wrote reassuring words in a letter home to his sister "Do not fear for me," he said, "For I am a follower and a faithful believer in the One Superior to all now." Despite his words of comfort, she undoubtedly continued to fear for her older brother's safety so far away and in such danger.

Her fears were realized when, on 1 October 1918, at Dannevoux Wood, Cote d'Mais, France, during the Battle of the Argonne Forest, Private Hazelbaker was killed by a German shell.  Information traveled slowly during times of war and is wasn't until 7 November that word of Ova's death was sent to father Henry back in Gaston. 

Morning Reports, Company L, 130th Infantry, October 1918

He was buried in an isolated grave near Landres Et Saint-Georges Ardennes. On 12 June 1919, his remains were disinterred and moved the Grave 194 Section 95 Plot 4, Argonne American Cemetery near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Muese, where they would remain for two years.

Burial Card (front and back)

On 8 August 1921, the young soldier's remains were once again disinterred and began their long journey home to Indiana.  On 6 September, they arrived in Antwerp, Belgium, then on 20 September, they were loaded onto a ship bound for the United States. U.S. Army Transport ship Wheaton arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on 3 October, with the remains of twenty-six hundred and twenty four American soldiers, Hazelbaker's among them.. On 19 October, the final leg of the journey began when the remains were shipped to Gaston undertaker, J. F. Kimmel, passing through New York City on the 22nd where they were likely loaded onboard a west-bound train.

On 25 October 1921, the remains of twenty-nine-year-old Ova Daniel Abraham Hazelbaker were returned to the neighborhood of his youth and interred in the cemetery in Wheeling. Pallbearers were Sanford L. Hicks, Rudolph Goad, Rue Ewing, William N. Hilligoss, Ray Hibbey, and Floyd Janney, all of whom served together, and four of who departed for the front together aboard the USAT Wheaton back in 1918.

Ova was survived by his parents and sister, Iza. The Gaston American Legion Post was named in his honor.

Ova's grave in Wheeling Cemetery.