Ripon College lost nine alumni in the first World War.  Their sacrifice weighed heavily on the minds of their fellow students, as this excerpt from the 1920 Crimson attests:

"The past school year has seen the close of the greatest struggle to be recorded in the annals of history.  After two and one-half years of waiting, our country finally cast her lost with that of the Allies in the great struggle for human rights and the freedom of the small nations.  With her characteristic whole-heartedness, the United States has sent her millions in men and money to the battle-scarred, war-devastated territory of France and Belgium.

Ripon College, as all other educational institutions throughout our land, has responded to the call.  Many of our number have entered the service and some of them have made the supreme sacrifice.  It is to the memory of those of our fellow students who have so nobly given their lives in the service that we devote this section of our student publication.  They are gone, yet they live in the memory of their Alma Mater.  Any tribute that we can pay to our honored dead is but a slight recompense for the service which they have rendered in upholding our country's honor.  May we, the men and women of the present generation, cherish in our hearts the ideals and principles for which they fought and not be found wanting when the time comes for us to sacrifice our all that these ideals may be maintained."

Latimer Johns

Born – September 1, 1892

Died – September 30, 1918

Latimer Johns was a Ripon College alumnus (Class of 1912) and Rhodes Scholar. When the U.S. entered the war Johns immediately enlisted in the 7th F. A. and was sent to France in August 1917. In August 1918 Johns found himself at the front with the 122nd F. A., 33rd Division where he remained until he was killed. He gave his life for his country and for his special bravery shown in action was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Sources:

Crimson 1920, p.14, 17

Crimson 1912

By Jennifer Baker and Calah Goehring