Honoring a soldier killed on the eve of the Armistice

This Veteran’s Day we remember 1st Lt. Louis K. Juden, 28 of Cape Girardeau, Mo., who died 101 years ago after being gassed during the closing days of World War I. From the Cape Girardeau Tribune:

Lieut. Louis K. Juden, grandson of Mrs. Louis F. Klostermann, died in a hospital in France on October 27, according to a letter received by Mrs. Klostermann yesterday morning. The news of his death prostrated Mrs. Klostermann.

He died in the army hospital at Streteit, and was buried in a military cemetery nearby. A photograph of the cemetery was sent to Mrs. Klostermann.

Lieut. Juden, who had been fighting with Gen. Pershing’s army, was severely gassed at St. Mehiel by the Germans. He was hurried to the hospital at Streteit, where he died 4 days later, according to the letter received by Mrs. Klostermann.

The letter was written by Miss Alice G. Fields, an American nurse, who was in charge of Lieut. Juden during his confinement at the hospital. She wrote that everything possible had been done to save the life of the lieutenant, but to no avail.

Lieut. Juden was gassed once before, but not seriously hurt; he wrote a letter to Sam Sherman some months ago, relating his experiences. He was one of the most popular soldiers who left Cape Girardeau. He took a course in the officers’ training camp and won a commission with high honor.

A short time later he was ordered to France and for several months he proved to be an efficient officer and was commended highly by his superior. When the American troops were sent into the trenches last summer, Lieut. Juden was taken away from his special work and led his company into the firing line. He fought in every great campaign after he entered the lines and remained untouched until October 23.

He was the son of William W. Juden, of Oklahoma City. His mother was the daughter of Mrs. Klostermann. Louis Juden was virtually reared by his grandparents. They were so fond of him as a child that he made his home with them. When he was called into military service Mrs. Klostermann feared that he would never return to her and the report of yesterday indicates that her premonition was correct.

Juden worked as a farmer before shipping off to the Second Officers’ Training Camp at Fort Sheridan (Ill.). After earning his commission he sailed for Europe on 15 December 1917 and was assigned to the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th “Old Hickory” Infantry Division as an intelligence officer. He spent several weeks recovering in a London hospital after being gassed in May of 1918. Rejoining the 120th, Juden was gassed a second time on 19 October. He passed away from pneumonia a week later.

Lt. Juden has a headstone in the Old Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, Mo., which states:

“HIS REMAINS ARE OVER THERE
HE GAVE HIS LIFE HELPING CRUSH THE HUNS”