John Henry Lehnen was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 5, 1888, son of John and Minnie Lehnen. He was graduated from West High School, Class of 1908, and later attended the University of Rochester, being in the Class of 1912. He was well known as a football  player. At the time of the World War he was employed as a law clerk in the office of Charles E. Bostwick. Entered the service at Rochester, N. Y, April 2, 1918, at the age of 30 years, as a Private, being assigned to the 11th Company, 3rd Training Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade; transferred to Company B, 310th Infantry, April 25, 1918.  He was trained at Camp Dix, Wrightstown, N. J. Embarked over seas, May 19, 1918, arriving at Folkstone, England. Transferred, August 12, 1918, to Headquarters Company, 3l0th Infantry. Engaged in action in the St. Mihiel Drive, at Thiaucourt. Killed in action, September 19, 1918, at Thiaucourt. Buried in Thiaucourt Cemetery, France. Private Sam Harris, of Rochester, N. Y., a member of Headquarters Company, 310th Infantry, was with Private Lehnen at the time he was killed and reported that they were both returning from a communicating trench, when they ran into enemy shell-fire, but managed to escape behind a mound; then a bursting shell landed only a few feet away, killing Private
Lehnen instantly and slightly wounding Private Harris.

From “World War Service Records Rochester and Monroe County, NY” The Du Bois Press, Rochester, NY – published by the City of Rochester, 1924

© Daniel DeMarle 2018