Warren Dexter

Jody Hane2021-11-26T20:07:15-06:00

Name: Warren Dexter
Location of Birth: Chamberlain, South Dakota
Date of Birth: December 12, 1894
Date of Death: November 29, 1931 (38 years old)
Parents: Dwight Dexter and Thea (Olson) Dexter
High School and Class:
College:
Highest Rank: PVT 1st Class (Private 1st Class)
Branch: Army
Other Branch:
Date Sworn In: June 5, 1917 (Registration Date)
Place Sworn In:
Date of Discharge:
Place of Discharge:
Military Awards:

Military Highlights:
Dexter served with the 69th Artillery Coast Artillery Corps. The United States Army Coast Artillery Corps was an administrative corps responsible for coastal, harbor, and anti-aircraft defense of the United States and its possessions between 1901 and 1950. The Coast Artillery Corps also operated heavy and railway artillery during World War I.

Information taken from United States World War I Draft Registration Card, 1917-1918:

Name: Warren Dexter
Race: Caucasian
Age: 23 years old
Marital Status: Single
Birth Date: 12 Dec 1894
Birth Place: Chamberlain, South Dakota
Street Address: R D 2
Residence Place: Cerro Gordo, Iowa
Occupation: Farmer
Dexter was tall, medium built, had blue eyes, brown hair, and was not bald.

Information taken from United States Army Transport Service, Passenger Lists, 1910-1939:

Name: Warren Dexter
Departure Date: 2 Apr 1919 (should probably be 4 Feb 1919
Departure Place: Pauillac, France
Arrival Date: 18 Feb 1918 (should probably be 18 Feb 1919)
Arrival Place: Newport News, Virginia
Residence Place: Clear Lake, Iowa
Mother: Thea Dexter
Ship: Mercury
Military Unit: Battery B, 69th Artillery Coast Artillery Corps
Notes: Battery "B", 69th Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps

Wars Involved:
WW1

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:
Warren was married to Hazel Sommers in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in June, 1919.

News article from Itasca News, Deer River, Minnesota dated December 4, 1931:

"Warren Dexter Shot By Fellow Hunter"
Accidental Discharge of Gun Results in Death of Young Ex-Service Man of Cohasset
Sunday afternoon, Warren Dexter and two companions , Clifford Adams and John Strang, all of Cohasset, started on a hunting expedition thru the woods, and as they were walking single file, Strang's gun was discharged accidently, the shot penetrating the abdomen of Dexter, who died on the way to the Itasca hospital.
The men were hunting near Sugar lake, and had no means of hauling Dexter to the highway except with a sled over an old tote road.
The deceased was an ex-service man and leaves a wife and four young sons. He was given a military funeral Wednesday afternoon at the Christian church at Cohasset. Rev. Camp, chaplain of McVeigh Dunn Post, of which Mr. Dexter was a member, officiating."

News article from Independent Deer River, dated December 3, 1931:

"Cohasset Farmer Accident Victim
Warren Dexter Killed Sunday When Unknown Cause Discharges Friend's Rifle
Warren Dexter, 38 years of age, whose home was about a mile west of Laliberte's Corner on Highway 34, was accidently shot about 2:30 o'clock last Sunday afternoon, and died while enroute to the hospital in Grand Rapids.
Mr. Dexter, with two neighbors, John Strang and Clifford Adams, were on a trip to Little Sugar Lake, some ten miles from their homes. They made part of the distance by auto, but were forced to walk about three miles down an old tote road. While returning, with Mr. Dexter walking in the lead, a rifle in the hands of Strang suddenly discharged and Dexter fell, shot through the body.
Strang remained with the injured man, while Adams hurried in search of help. Arriving at the car, he hurried to the Gabe Goodell home and arranged for a team to go after Mr. Dexter. Adams then hurried to Grand Rapids for a physician and help. An ambulance was secured at the Libby Mortuary, and Sheriff Madson headed a rescuing party. Mr. Dexter, still conscious, was brought out to the ambulance on a sleigh, but passed away before his home was reached, enroute to the hospital.
Mr. Strang, an elderly man, was a close friend of Dexter, and is prostrated by the unfortunate accident. No circumstance can be accounted for the accidental discharge of the rifle. After thorough investigation by the sheriff, coroner and county attorney, it was deemed purely an accident.
Mr. Dexter is survived by his widow and four young sons, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Dexter, who lived near him; four brothers, Mark, Asahel, Sime and Leonard; four sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Millard, Mrs. Bruce Wolfe, Ruth, and Mrs. Donald Good.
Funeral services were held at the Christian church in Cohasset yesterday afternoon, in charge of Rev. L. H. Camp, assisted by Rev. J. W. Schenck. A large concourse of friends attended to pay their last token of respect. Mr. Dexter was a World War veteran, and was buried with full military honors."

Warren is buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery at Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (Plot I-A-35-2-1)

Tribal Affiliation(s):