Many of De Leon’s World War I veterans line up for a photograph in front of City Hall probably on the 4th of July 1922.

Lt. Paul Anderson later rose to the rank of General.

World War I Casualties

Left: Charlie Smith

Right: Burrell Heath

Center Stone:  J.F. Kennedy of Downing

Peace  is Declared!  De Leon’s Armistice Day Celebration November 11, 1918.  According to Edna Merle Redden Stewart the students were released from school and snake danced to town.  Evan Barker stated that after the speeches, the town shot anvils to celebrate at a blacksmith shop located on the northwest corner of Gonzales and Houston.  An anvil would be placed atop another with gunpowder in between.  The gunpowder would be ignited shooting the top anvil into the air.   Oil had been discovered south of Desdemona only two months earlier.  The building in the back was located immediately north of the City Hall.  It would become the Economy Store during the boom and then S&S Garage after the boom.  It is in the background of the veterans photo at the top of the page. 

WORLD WAR I

The first De Leon men drafted in World War I standing in front of the fire station at the old city hall.  The individual on the front row with his arms crossed is Charlie W. Smith who was killed September 29, 1918 in France.  He was De Leon’s first war death.

Gilder Chupp

Other known veterans


Bowen, Ewell Roy

Cpl. 315 Eng. 90th Div


Cain, Ashberry Towson

Pvt 29 Co. 165 Depot Brigade


Counts, Sidney Tate,  U.S. Navy


Day, Vernis W.

Waggoner U.S. Army


Heath, John W.

Sgt. Co. A. 144th Machine Gun Battalion

40th Division New York City, New York


W.H. Smith Sr. in Navy Uniform with younger brother Bob