On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson went before a joint session of Congress to request a declaration of war against Germany. Wilson cited Germany’s violation of its pledge to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as its attempts to entice Mexico into an alliance against the United States, as his reasons for declaring war. On April 4, 1917, the U.S. Senate voted in support of the measure to declare war on Germany. The House concurred two days later. The United States later declared war on German ally Austria-Hungary on December 7, 1917.

Sandy Creek News: Honor Our Fallen Hero- Remains to Arrive at Lacona Saturday, December 18th.

Relatives have been notified that the remains of Rex S. Hadley who paid the supreme sacrifice overseas will be sent to Lacona so as to reach here Saturday morning December 18. An escort of soldiers and ex-service will accompany the body to Woodlawn Cemetery where a short military ceremony will be held. Every ex-service man in this vicinity who can possibly attend, should consider it a privilege to be able to pay this small mark of respect to one of Lacona’s heroes.

Rex S. Hadley was one of the first to enter the service, enlisting in the 105th U.S. Infantry, 27th Division in July 1917. After a period of training he sailed for France arriving at Brest, June 1, 1918. Nearly three months later, August 27th, he was shot by a German Sniper while defending a line of trenches in the Dickiebusch sector in Belgium and died in a hospital several days later. Private Hadley is remembered by his comrades as a true soldier, a hard fighter, a willing worker, a good sportsman and a real Christian gentleman. As a mark of respect for the first man from this town to fall with the colors, it is requested that the business men of both villages close their places of business from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 18th.