Francis Michael M. “Frank” McLaughlin was born on September 24, 1899 in Newton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was the son of James H. McLaughlin and Mary Emma Cluff McLaughlin. He enlisted in the National Guard on July 11, 1916, and on August 21, 1917 after activation was assigned to Company C, 101st Infantry (Field Artillery Battery B). This was a unit organized by Sinclair Weeks of Newton.

Francis saw action at Chateau-Theiray; the Rheims offensive; Aisne-Marne; at Soissons. He held the rank of Private, First Class. Frank was wounded on July 18th, 1918 at Chateau-Thierry and died of his wounds on the 21st.

When Frank’s body was returned in 1921 it was laid in state at the West Newton Armory, before being carried on a gun caisson to a military burial at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Newton, Mass.