John Ashley Dennis

A special remembrance this year will be held for the 100th anniversary of the John Ashley Dennis Jr. Post 437, the Philipsburg chapter of the American Legion, founded by local World War I Veterans on Nov. 19, 1919.

John Ashley Dennis Jr. of Chester Hill was a private soldier fighting in Co. K, 23rd Infantry, Second Division, when he was wounded at the battle of Belleau Wood on June 6, 1918. He died of his injuries two days later in Field Hospital No. 8 at Juilly, France, at age 25.

His remains were eventually transferred back to the United States, and he was buried with high honors in Philipsburg on June 19, 1921. Four black horses pulled his caisson, and units from all over the Moshannon Valley participated in this grand memorial.