Maxwell, William H.

Description

William Harold Maxwell was born on February 28, 1887, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of William R. Maxwell and Bernadine C. Hageman. He grew up in Cleveland in a family that included three sisters’, Florence Bernadine Maxwell, born in September 1889; Mary Irene Maxwell, born October 3, 1893; and Eleanor J. Maxwell, born in October 1899.

By 1917, Maxwell had relocated to Rye, New York, where he was living at 17 Bulkley Manor. He was employed as a sales engineer by the Detroit Steel Products Company, working out of offices at 30 East 42nd Street in New York City. His position reflects a technical and professional occupation within the expanding industrial economy of the early twentieth century. He was single and reported no dependents at the time of his draft registration.

He was described as tall with a medium build, with blue eyes and blonde hair, and no physical disabilities were noted.

World War I Service

Maxwell entered military service on April 1, 1918, when he was inducted into the United States Army at Port Chester, New York. He was initially assigned to the 152nd Depot Brigade, where newly inducted soldiers received military training, equipment, and preparation before joining combat units overseas.

Upon completing his training, Maxwell was assigned to Company E, 311th Infantry Regiment, part of the 78th Infantry Division, known as the “Lightning Division.” Organized in 1917 and trained at Camp Dix, New Jersey, the 311th Infantry Regiment deployed to France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. The regiment fought in difficult trench warfare and participated in two of the war’s decisive campaigns—the St. Mihiel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive—helping break German resistance during the final months of World War I.

Maxwell served overseas from May 19, 1918, until May 22, 1919, sharing in the experiences of the 311th Infantry Regiment during its service in France. Although his individual service record does not identify the specific engagements in which he personally participated, he served with a regiment that played an important role in the American Army’s final offensives leading to the Armistice on November 11, 1918.

His leadership abilities were recognized through promotion to Corporal on June 8, 1918, and to Sergeant on December 3, 1918, reflecting increasing responsibility within his company. His service record notes that he completed his wartime service without being wounded in action.

Following the Allied victory and the occupation of Germany, Maxwell remained overseas with his regiment until returning to the United States. He received an honorable discharge on May 30, 1919, after more than a year of faithful military service.

Life After Service

Following his return from World War I, Maxwell continued his life in the northeastern United States. By 1930, he was residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was recorded as a guest in a household, and by 1935 he had returned to Westchester County, living in Pelham, New York.

He remained single throughout his life and had no known children. By 1940, he was again living in Pelham as a lodger, and by 1942 he had returned to Rye, New York, maintaining his connection to the community.

His later life included the loss of his father, William R. Maxwell, who died on April 29, 1929, and his mother, Bernadine C. Hageman Maxwell, who died on July 25, 1935.

William Harold Maxwell died on March 13, 1953, in New York at the age of 66. He was buried on March 16, 1953, in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his sisters, Florence Bernadine Maxwell, Mary Irene Maxwell, and Eleanor J. Maxwell.