Monument Details

ISOB Ferdinand Capdevielle - American Volunteer French Army

<< Back to Sommepy-Tahure French National Cemetery

Details:

Located in the French National Cemetery at Sommepy-Tahure, grave number 1025; His grave is on the right side of the center aisle as you head up the hill, 4 rows down from the top. Isolated Burial

Isolated burial of Ferdinand Capdevielle, an American volunteer who fought for the French during WWI. He was the last American who had enlisted in the French Forces who was killed fighting for France.

Ferdinand Capdevielle was a private first class in the Legion when he took part in the charge on Navarin Farm in the Battle of Champagne, fighting that saw two-thirds of his section killed or wounded. Then, he accepted a transfer to the 170th Line Infantry Regiment, a unit that was soon sent to Verdun. Capdevielle was quickly awarded the Croix de Guerre for his coolness under fire while serving as a dispatch-bearer in the Battle of Caillette Wood.

Capdevielle was cited for bravery multiple times in multiple battles over the following year, eventually rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant. The American Army offered him a commission as a captain, but the legionnaire preferred to stay with French Forces. He led his men during the wildly successful advance on the Marne in July 1917, seizing miles of territory, hundreds of prisoners, and tons of supplies. He was posthumously awarded the Légion d’honneur after his death in October, 1918.

From the Mémoire des homes (French Ministry of Defense) Website:

Ferdinand CAPDEVIELLE

Mort pour la France: le 03-10-1918 (Sommepy-Tahure, 51 - Marne, France)

Né(e) le/en: 27-07-1893 à New-York (Etats-Unis)

25 ans, 2 mois et 7 jours

Career:

Status: militaire - Terre

Rank: sous-lieutenant

Unit: 170e régiment d'infanterie (170e RI)

Class: 1914

Recruitment office: Seine bureau central (75)

Recruitment roll number: 5354

Reference: Mort pour la France

Place of transcription of death: Paris 1er arrondissement (75 - Paris (ex Seine), France)

Monument Text:

Capdevielle Fernand

S/ Lieut. 170E R.I.

Mort pour la France

3-10-18

1025

Commemorates:

People:

Ferdinand "Cap" Cap de Vielle

Units:

170th Infantry Regiment (French)

American Volunteer Group

French Foreign Legion

Wars:

WWI

Other images :

View