John Billhimer of the 370th US Infantry, 93rd Division. KIA Nov. 3, 1918.
The 93rd Division included the 369th, 370th, 371st and 372nd Infantry Regiments. With several soldiers, men assigned to one of these sometimes ended up serving with the 369th.
Here is Pvt. Billhimer's info from the American Battle Monuments Commission:
"Private First Class John Billhimer was born in 1893 and was mainly raised by his grandmother, Anna Billhimer, in a small town (Zenda) in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. His father was Garrison Billhimer, and his mother was Elizabeth “Lizza” Anderson. Both parents were young and lived temporarily with Ras’ family.
John was an only child. His father died when he was young, and his mother left him with his grandmother. When he was in his teenage years, his grandmother became sick with influenza, which eventually took her life in 1915 when John was 22 years old. After her death, John moved to Chicago, most likely to live with his uncle, his father’s older brother, Solomon Billhimer. Solomon is listed as John’s next of kin on all military paperwork. The move allowed him to leave the segregated South." His father was a teacher and John was literate.
John joined the famous 8th Illinois National Guard on June 1, 1917 and mustered in on June 25th.
"General Pershing ordered four regiments of the 93rd Division to join with the French 10th Army in the late summer of 1918. The relationship between French and American soldiers was described as “cordial” in an official report, but the same report also described extreme difficulty in communication due to a “shortage of competent interpreters.” Together they launched the Oise-Aisne Offensive against the German Army that was occupying the Ailette River in mid-September. Beginning on September 17, the 93rd Division, under French command and working with with French soldiers, pushed the German Army out of the area and continued to attack while the Germans retreated. In the campaign, French and African American soldiers fought side-by-side. They struggled to communicate, but they respected each other’s abilities."
"After this successful advance, the division rested, built roads, cleaned themselves, and got new clothing in October. On November 3, while Company A was gathered in a kitchen in Chantrud Ferme, France, a large caliber shell hit the building, killing 34 men, including Private First Class Billhimer. In addition to those killed, another 56 people were wounded in the attack."
Pvt. John Billhimer lays in eternal rest in the soil of France. His family erected a memorial grave stone back home in Zenda, Viginia.
Another American who made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation.
A cenotaph remembers him in his hometow cemetery,
Old Athens Church Cemetery
Zenda, Rockingham County, Virginia

Source: ABMC