Walter Ernest Butsch

Bugler

Company K
311th Infantry Regiment

Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: November 6, 1918

Walter Ernest Butsch, Bugler, was the son of Ernest and Gertrude Butsch, of 620 North 5th Street, in Camden NJ. Both his parents had been born in Germany, and had come to America in their teens. Ernest Butsch had served in the United States Navy from 1881 through 1884, and later worked as a letter carrier in Camden. The family was living at 620 North 5th Street as early as 1897.

When he registered for the draft in June of 1917, Walter Butsch was working for the City of Camden as a “gasoline engine expert.” He was living with his parents and sisters at 620 North 5th Street in North Camden.

Walter Butsch was drafted in September of 1917, was sent to Camp Dix NJ, and went to France with his unit, Company K of the 311th Infantry Regiment, on May 20, 1918. He had been promoted from Private to Bugler on February 1, 1918.

Walter Butsch was wounded at Lancon, near Grand Pre, France, on October 20, 1918 during the battle of the Argonne Forest. He was carried to a base hospital set up in a partially shell-wrecked church at Vichy by Sergeant Theodore Roller, a comrade, where he died of his wounds. Walter Butsch was 24 years old, and was survived by his parents, and younger sisters Bertha and Lillian, all of the North 5th Street address.