Carl Wehner

Before U.S. involvement in WWI, Second Lieutenant Wehner worked as an assistant storekeeper at the UW Chemistry Lab. 2d Lt. Wehner originally enlisted with the Wisconsin National Guard (32nd Division). He then attended and graduated from Officers’ training school and was assigned to the 141st Infantry (36th Div., Co. K). He was killed in action soon after taking charge of his company after their captain had been killed. In a letter signed by Phillipe Pétain, the Commander-in-Chief of the French Army, it was stated, “Lt. Wehner displayed audacity and disregard of danger during the operations near St. Étienne. As the head of his men, encouraging them with his skill, he largely contributed to the success of the operations which made it possible to capture all objectives. He was killed at his post of combat.” Second Lieutenant Wehner’s body was returned to and reburied in Madison in 1921.