Valley Girl Views: Wallace W. Fetzer - When Milton Gave One Of Their Own, World War I

Lieutenant Colonel Wallace Wilmer Fetzer

Killed July 28 1918, France

Wallace Fetzer a graduate of Milton Schools, and also of Bucknell University, and a veteran of the Spanish American War, was 45 years old when he left for France to serve in World War I. As the superintendent of Milton Schools, he was granted a leave of absence for "the duration of the war". Having been widowed less than two years earlier, his three children went to live with his brother. Before leaving, he stood on the balcony of the Milton Hotel and gave a short address. He would return to Milton one last time the following year, while on leave, but in July of 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Wallace Wilmer Fetzer became the first officer from Pennsylvania to be killed in World War I. The American Legion in Milton is named for him, and there is a memorial for him both at Bucknell, as well as the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg.

Wallace W. Fetzer was born on march 24, 1871, in East Chillisquaque Township, son of Charles Fetzer and Mary J. Davis. He was educated in township schools and graduated from Milton High School with the Class of 1890.

His military service began in 1892 when he joined Company A, 12th Regiment at Lewisburg. During the Spanish American War he served as second lieutenant of Company A, Twelth Regiment Infantry.

His service in that war delayed his education, but he returned and graduated from Bucknell in 1904. Almost immediately after graduating from Bucknell, he married Elizabeth Dawson, a teacher, of Montandon.

Fetzer served in a variety of positions with the local schools, being named superintendent of Northumberland County Schools, principal of Sunbury High School, and lastly, superintendent at Milton

Wallace & Elizabeth, who lived on Broadway in Milton, had three children; Charles born in 1904, William born in 1905, and Ruth born in 1906. In 1916, at age 40, and with her youngest child now 10 years old, Elizabeth was pregnant with their fourth child. She died in childbirth on January 28 1916.

In September of 1917, Lt. Col Wallace Fetzer was granted a leave of absence "for the period of the war" as he went off to fight in World War I. His children stayed at the home of his brother. Before leaving for France, he gave an address from the balcony of the Milton Hotel.

Before deployment for World War I, Fetzer and his men trained at Camp Hancock, where the Pa. Cavalry was split, sending men to various units. Fetzer was promoted to lieutenant colonel with the 109th Regiment. In May 1918, he was transferred to the 110th Regiment, which halted a German push at Jaulgonne, France, a key point in the war.

May 1918

In May of 1918, Fetzer was home for a short time on leave. By the 18th of the month, he was back in France.

On July 28, 1918, Wallace Wilmer Fetzer was killed instantly when Regimental Headquarters near Fresnes, France was blown up.

The Miltonian, May 1923

Fetzer was the first Officer from Pennsylvania to be killed in World War I

The American Legion, post 71, in Milton is named in honor of him.

In 1919, A Tablet was installed in his memory at Milton High School

The "Tablet", or plaque, hung at the school still is there today. As you leave the library at Milton High School, go straight, this memorial hangs on the left side of the stairs.

Another memorial was installed at Bucknell.

More than 700 Bucknellians served in World War 1.

Thirty of them gave their lives in that war.

In 2018, A group from Bucknell working on a project to honor all Bucknellians who served in World War I traveled to France and while there placed flowers at the marker for Fetzer.