The envelope arrived in Wilton, North Dakota in May of 1919 bearing the final sad tale of Ernest Julius Alfred Erickson's (photograph below) death in the Meuse Argonne in France on October 10th, 1918.

It was addressed to Ernest Julius's father Anders (Andrew) Alfred Erickson. The news must have been devastating when the family first heard of Ernest Julius passing in late 1918. This letter just brought home the reality of it all.

This document dated May 28th, 1919 clears up all the stories, rumors and myths about the unfortunate passing of my uncle Ernest Julius in the Argonne Forest in France on October 10th, 1918, even though this document states October 11th as the date.

Ernest Julius was with the 361st Infantry of the 91st Division and serving in Company C and had been in the intelligence section of the First Battalion through both Argonne drives in the Fall of 1918.

He had also been a scout, sniper, observer and runner and was a long-time expert riflemen starting at a very young age. As this document attests, "one of the gamest men in the regiment and one of the most willing."

Starting at the 4th paragraph, the report by fellow soldier, Pvt. Jesse A. Keene clearly spells it out quite graphically and nothing more can really be said. From all I have read and the stories told by people that knew Ernest Julius, he was a very special, unique man who loved to write and sought adventure to his twilight.

To that end, this will be his lasting tribute