Allen H. Bossert

Rank: Sergeant, U.S. Army

Unit: Machine Gun Company, 311th Infantry Regiment

Entered service from: New Jersey

Died: October 3, 1918

Sergeant Allen Harvey “Dewey” Bossert was the son of William H. and Mary Bossert. He was born in Fairview, Pennsylvania on November 4, 1890. The Bossert family moved to 113 Chestnut Avenue, Woodlynne, NJ sometime after 1902. His father worked as an inspector on one of the railroads. Allen Bossert was working as a fireman with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad when he registered for the draft in June of 1917.

Allen Bossert was inducted into the United States Army on September 20, 1917 at Camden. He was assigned to the Machine Gun Company of the 311th Infantry, and went overseas with his unit in May of 1918. During his time in service he was promoted from Private to Corporal and then to Sergeant.

Sergeant Bossert was killed by shrapnel on October 3, 1918. At the time of his death he was about to be sent to school to study for a lieutenancy. Sergeant Bossert was the only man from Woodlynne to make the supreme sacrifice.