Private Henry LaCroix, Company L, 102nd inf., 26th "Yankee" Division, was a battalion runner and was killed by a high explosive shell in a support trench from Regimental Headquarters in the village of Beaumont, leading down to the ruined village of Seicheprey. It occurred during the highly planned surprise German Special Forces attack on the evening of 20-21 April 1918 while LaCroix led a replacement unit to their forward trench positions surrounding Seichesprey. The French later said it was the most spectacular preparatory artillery barrage they had witnessed since the original battle of Verdun. LaCroix was the first Company L man, and the first man from Meriden, Conn. killed in the war. He was originally a member of the 2nd Regiment Connecticut National Guard. He was first interred in the Mandres-Aux-Quatre-Tours church cemetery with other American soldiers, victims of the assault until they were disinterred and either repatriated or removed to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at Romagne-sous-Montfaucon in Meuse, France.
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