Charles Cleveland McKinney
June 19, 1893 - July 18, 1951
Charles C. McKinney was born in Iowa to parents John and Laura. He joined his brother, Joseph, and a sister, Rachel. Two more siblings, Grace and J. Frank, would also join the family. While they lived in the Des Moines area, Charles registered for the service and upon joining, he became a Private of the 41st Division in the 161st Infantry.
After the war, Charles married Olive Brandsrud on September 5, 1922 in Springfield, Illinois. They lived there for a year before moving to South Dakota near Estelline. They farmed there and in Brookings County before moving to the White area in 1947.
Charles died on July 18, 1951 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery.
World War I
As war clouds gathered, the 2nd Infantry Regiment, Washington National Guard was called back into federal service on 25 March 1917. In July 1917 the War Department set up a new numbering system for infantry regiments with National Guard regiments to be numbered 101–300. One hundred and sixty seven National Guard regiments were renumbered. From 19 September to 20 October 1917, the 2nd Infantry Regiment was consolidated with elements of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, District of Columbia National Guard to form the 161st Infantry Regiment. The 161st was assigned to the 41st Division on 19 September 1917. Sent overseas to France, the 161st was not committed to combat. Rather, the personnel of the 161st were used as replacements for other units. For its service the regiment was awarded the World War I campaign streamer without inscription.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/161st_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)
