World War I American Civilian Casualty. She is considered the first American woman killed in active service during World War I. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she was educated at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, and became a French language teacher at St. Katharine's School in Davenport, Iowa. She left for Paris in January 1918 to aid French soldiers involved in the war, feeling her knowledge of the country and the language would be helpful. Two months later, she died when a German artillery shell hit the hostel where she was on duty as a YMCA canteen worker. Originally, she was buried in a French hospital cemetery in St. Menehould. Later, her remains were transferred to the American Cemetery at Argonne. A memorial plaque for her is located at the Iowa entrance to the Rock Island Arsenal Government Bridge in Davenport, Iowa.
Source: Find a Grave