Magner, Daniel

Description

Early Life

Daniel Magner was born on February 11, 1888, in Hartford, Connecticut. By June 5, 1917, he was residing at 13 Dearborn Avenue in Rye, New York, during a period when Rye was transitioning from a rural town into a community combining working-class residents and estate-based employment.

He was employed as a hotel steward by the U.S. Government, with work that took him to Palm Beach, Florida. He was single and reported no dependents at the time of his draft registration. He was described as tall and slender, with dark blue eyes and dark brown hair.

World War I Service

Magner was inducted into the United States Army on April 6, 1918, at Port Chester, New York.

He was first assigned to the 152nd Depot Brigade, a training and processing unit responsible for organizing and preparing soldiers for active service.

He was later transferred to Company E, 60th Infantry Regiment, part of the 5th Division, a combat formation of the American Expeditionary Forces engaged in major operations in France, including the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest American military campaign involving American forces during World War I.

Magner served overseas in France from approximately June 27, 1918, until November 25, 1918. During his service, he was wounded in action and hospitalized at Base Hospital No. 17.

In a letter dated September 5th, written while recovering in the hospital, he reported:

“How is everything going with No. 863? Fine, I hope. I am laid up for a few days in a real American hospital with a slight wound, but expect to be o. k. in a few days.”

He continued: “The boys are certainly keeping Kaiser Bill busy these days and believe me, if we can only keep it up, he might as well order his wooden overcoat right now. This is certainly a fine country and there are plenty of Bills here fighting for the same old cause.”

He also wrote: “Hope everything in Port Chester is going fine. How are my friends, Fritz, Steinhauser, Jack Coward, Charlie Thompson and all the rest of the ΓÇÿboys’? Give them all my kindest regards.”

“If you happen to see George Werner tell him that I’m still in the swim.”

He concluded: “There is not very much that I can tell, as old Pop Censor is sitting pretty tight right now, so I will say ΓÇÿAu Revoir and Good Luck.'”

He held the rank of Private and was honorably discharged on April 19, 1919. His service record indicates a 50 percent disability at the time of discharge, reflecting the lasting impact of his wartime wound.

Life After Service

Following his return from World War I, Daniel Magner remained connected to the Rye and Port Chester community. His combat service with the American Expeditionary Forces and his wounding in France distinguished him among local veterans.

He died on December 5, 1961, in New York. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on December 8, 1961, in recognition of his military service.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his nephew, Edward J. Blake of 24 Cooper Street, New York, who was listed as next of kin and responsible party for his burial arrangements.