This document dated May 28th, 1919 clears up all the stories, rumors and myths about the unfortunate passing of my uncle Ernest Julius Alfred Erickson 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."

Below also is a small newspaper piece from the Bismarck Tribune in late 1918 that relates the story that Ernest Julius's older brother Helmer Erick Olaf Erickson was first kin to be notified of the soldier's passing. And below that is the Riverview Cemetery (Wilton, North Dakota) headstone of Ernest Julius Alfred Erickson 1889 - 1918.

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.