Evansville soldier was first American casualty of WWI

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) – He was a young soldier who grew up in Evansville. However, it was his sacrifice during World War I that helped put Indiana on the international map.

James Bethel Gresham was one of the first noted American casualties of the war. However, if you said his name today, not many people would be able to give you facts about his life.

In the fourth grade, Gresham left school to support his mother. He took a job at a furniture factory. Years later his name would appear in the newspapers, speaking about his death and sacrifice for the county.

Gresham was born in Kentucky, but his mother eventually moved to Evansville. Gresham enlisted in the army at the age of 21.

Evansville Museum Curator of History Tom Lonnberg said that an early morning raid on Nov. 3, 1917 killed Gresham, Merle Hay and Thomas Enright.

“They are first causalities of war. So this certainly had a major impact here and known across the country when this occurs,” said Lonnberg.

Lonnberg said there isn’t a way to confirm how Gresham died. However, the story goes Gresham offered to switch shifts with someone too cold to stand watch. When the raid started he said don’t shoot we’re Americans and the enemy said “that’s who we’re looking for” and shot Gresham between the eyes.

Gresham’s body was returned four years later to Indianapolis and then returned to Evansville where he was laid to rest at Evansville’s Locust Hill Cemetery.WEVV-TV contributed to this story.