Arthur Randall McCormick
Private, U. S. Army
World War I

Arthur Randall McCormick was born on 6 November 1889 in Leighton, Colbert County, AL. He was the son of William Anderson and Eliza Ellen Harlow McCormick.

Military Service

Arthur served in the Army in World War I as a Private in Company H, 30th Infantry. He was a tall man for that time, standing 6 feet 4 inches. A picture of him in his army uniform shows him wearing a uniform with sleeves that were far too short for his long arms.

He was seriously wounded by enemy fire in Chateau Thierry, France and left for dead. To prevent himself from bleeding to death, he cut off part of his uniform with his pocket knife and packed it in the wounds in his legs. He was found by a recovery detail that was making rounds to pick up dead soldiers and was taken to a hospital. He was in the hospital for an extended period and his family did not know if he was dead or alive.

He arrived home one day walking across the field to his farm near Danville, AL. There was great rejoicing upon his return, but he was to carry terrible scars with him the remainder of his life from his war injuries.

Post-Military Life

Arthur never married, but was beloved and cherished by his nephews and nieces. He lived with, and cared for, his elderly mother until her death. His brother, Claud, with whom he was a farming partner, called him "Boss" as did many of his nieces and nephews. When Claud's children were small and beginning to talk, their version of Boss became "Bochee" and that is what they called him all of their lives.

He was respected in the community and is remembered with affection by his many loved ones for his wisdom and his kind and gentle ways.

Death and Burial

Arthur Randall McCormick died on 6 February 1960. He is buried at Johnson Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Danville, AL.