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Submitted: 7/11/19 • Approved: 7/11/19 • Last Updated: 7/14/19 • R269709-G0-S3
Birth 12 Jul 1890
Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA
Death 8 Nov 1918 (aged 28)
France
MOODY COUNTY ENTERPIRSE
December 5, 1918
DEAN W. BIGELOW KILLED IN ACTION
Make the Supreme Sacrifice on Battle Front
Of France on November 8th
Another Flandreau young man has made the supreme sacrifice and one more gold star added to the service flag of this city.
Last Sunday eveng Mr. and Mrs. Jas. T. Bigelow received a message from the war department advising them that their eldest son, Dean W. Bigelow, had been killed in action on November 8, while with the American forces in northern France in the last fierce drives against the Hun enemy which was made by Gen Pershing’s army only a few days before the signing of the armistice which halted the hostilities on the western front. At the time of his death Dean was attached to the 89th division of H.Q. Co of the 355th infantry.
Dean W. Bigelow was born in Flandreau July 12, 1890, and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. T. Bigelow. During his early life he attended the Flandreau public school graduating with high honors from the city high school with the class of 1909. Following his graduation from the local high school he attended the university at Vermillion, but at the close of this first year at this institution he returned here to accept a position with the First National Bank, of which his father was cashier, and short time later was advances tot eh responsible position of assistant cashier, a position he held at the time of his induction into army service.
Although young in years he showed an aptness and capacity for business which made him a most worthy employee of the bank, and won for him the highest esteem and fellowship of the business circle of the community. In the election of 1916 he was elected to the position of city treasurer and re –elected to this office last spring. He was also a member of the various Masonic orders of the city and in all of his fraternal association displayed those characteristics and high ideals of brotherhood which earned him the loves and respect of all members.
From the early entrance of this country into the world war Dean expressed a desire to join the army force and gladly answered the call and left on April 27, with the moody county contingent that was sent to Camp Funston, Kan., on that day. About a month later he was sent to an eastern camp, and on June 2 embarked for France, landing in England on June 17, being transferred shortly after to the fighting front in France. He was with the American forces at the great battle of St. Mihile and was among those to go over the top on Sept. 9. In all details his life and conduct as a soldier was such as to merit the hearty commendation of his officers, and his service records is one of absolute fidelity and trustworthiness. The high regard in which he was held in army circles is expressed in the flowing words attached to the letter by his lieutenant who censored a letter written by Dean to his brother Curtis, a member of the American aero service in France, just a few days previous to his death: “You should be very proud of Dean; he is sure true blue.”
Words but feebly express the great sympathy which will be extended to Mr. Bigelow and family in their sorrow over the death of their son and brother, and they are assured that their sorrow for the loss of him who so freely made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of world freedom and human liberty is fully shared by the entire community. His priceless gift and sacrifice will ever remain a cherisher memory.
Contributed on 7/11/19
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Record #: 269709