Veterans Unveil WW I Plaque Rededicated at The Heights

A bronze plaque commemorating six Richmond Heights World War I veterans was rededicated yesterday at The Heights.

It was originally dedicated on Nov. 11, 1936, but was stolen not long after that.

It was eventually found in a resale shop, and was recently refinished and mounted on granite for the memorial in front of The Heights.

See more photos in Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch Facebook.

The names on the plaque are:

• Lee T. Goff, the son of Rev. and Mrs. Francis L. Goff. Joseph Moll was also killed in action on V=Nov. 4, 1918, only seven days before the war ended.
• Charles Gray, who contracted double pneumonia and died March 22, 1919.
• Roy E. Lile, was wounded at Bellau Woods on June 6, 1918. He died after an peratio at the Breat La;kes Hospital on Feb. 13, 1919.
• Manuel Johnson served in the Marine Brigade. He was killed by enemy shellfire at  Bellau Woods on May 13, 1918.
• Roy Grassmann Winzenburg was woulnded in 1917 at Camp Doniphan in Missouri by a stray bullet. He died of complications from the wound.
• Walter Marion Ruppert was a private in the 304th Tank Corp. He died on May 27, 1919 at the age of 19.

Members of the Richmond Heights VFW and theAmerican Legion Goff-Moll Post 101, as well at Richmond Heights mayor James Beck and about 50 others witnessed the ceremony.

World War II veterans Ray Depoutot (Gunfighter), who fought in Normanday and Central Europe; Bill Sauders (Wild Bill), who was in the Pacific with the Navy; and Jim Chandler, who fought in France were honored at the ceremony.

Richmond Heights is working toward building a Veterans' Gazebo on the grounds of The Heights before next Veterans Day. City attorney Ken Heinz is heading the Veterans Memorial committee.

"You can go down to Jefferson Barracks, but that's a ways down there," Heinz said. "We think there should be something closer in."

"You don't have to live in Richmond Heights to be part of this memorial," county councilman Pat Dolan said. "It's for Mid-County."

Also in Patch:

VIDEO: Former VFW Leader Talks Memorial Day

Richmond Heights Veterans' Memorial Accepting Donations

Veterans' Gazebo Takes Shape in Richmond Heights

Veterans' Gazebo Plan Draws Skepticism from Resident [POLL]