Marion G. Crandell (Crandall) 1872-1918 The spelling of her surname has appeared both ways on different documents. |
Place of birth: Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA Date of birth: April 25,1872 Father: George Taylor Crandell Mother: Anginette Adaline Crandell Education: Public schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. Sorbonne University, Paris, France Permanent residence at time of death: Alameda, California Date of death: March 27,1918 Place of burial: American Cemetery (Meuse Argonne) of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France Grave #24, Plot F, Row #1 |
Markers in Davenport, Iowa |
Before restoration |
Marion G. Crandell In Uniform |
Webmaster: Vern Wriedt Flood City Productions |
Meuse-Argonne Cemetery, France |
Crandell Memorial House 1020 E. 6th St., Davenport, Iowa |
After restoration |
Weller Crandell (Marion's great nephew) and Vern Wriedt reattached restored sign. March 27, 2001 |
Sign above entrance door. |
LINKS |
Marion Crandell, a French language instructor at St. Katharine's School in Davenport, Iowa, left for Paris to aid French soldiers during World War I. Since she had been educated in Paris, she felt that her knowledge of France and the language would be extremely helpful. Two months later, a German artillery shell hit the hostel where she was working as a YMCA canteen worker. Marion Crandell was the first American woman killed while in active service in World War I. She was buried in a French hospital cemetery in St. Menehould. Later, her remains were transferred to the Meuse Argonne American Cemetery. |
Impressive Memorial Dedication |
On November 11, 1925, Colonel D. M. King, Commandant of the Rock Island Arsenal, unveiled this memorial for Marion G. Crandell. Hundreds of people attended the dedication. The Kaaba Shrine band opened the program with playing "The Star Spangled Banner." Davenport American Legion Post #26 stood guard behind the marker while Louis Roddewig, Mayor of Davenport, spoke of Miss Crandell's sacrifice. |
Marion Crandell was listed as an outstanding heroine of World War I by the Woman's Overseas Service League in 1926. |