My Gold Star Papa

Norman L. Faris was born on September 16, 1880 in the small town of Ottumwa, Iowa. In 1887, the family moved to Denver, CO. for a short time and then relocated to New Mexico. In January 1918, Norman Faris enlisted in the Army at Ft. Logan, CO. and was assigned to the 27th Engineers. Shortly after enlistment, his unit was sent to Camp Meade, Maryland for training.

Leaving his family behind, on June 30th, 1918, Corporal Faris boarded the troopship SS Siboney at the Port of Hoboken, NJ and sailed for France.

After taking part in the Chateau-Thierry drive, members of CO. B and Corp. Faris began constructing a bridge over the Aire River in Apremont, France. With gas and high explosive shells bursting all around the men, the work continued. On October 5th, 1918 Corporal Faris was hit by a machine gun bullet in the abdomen and died that same day. Corp Faris is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery