Walter Clarence McCaleb
Walter Clarence McCaleb was born March 23, 1896 in Smith County, TN and died November
27, 1986. He was married on July 27, 1918 in Smith County, TN (Gordonsville) to Vinnie
Myrtle Scruggs, born September 25, 1903 and died December 26, 1986.
Walter Clarence McCaleb POW
Walter entered the service with the Army as a Private on September 22, 1917. He was with Company
(1 or l) of the 117th Infantry. Walter received a gunshot wound to the face in October 1917 at the
Battle of St.Quintin, France and was later awarded the "Purple Heart". He was also a POW from Oct. 7,
1918 - November 26, 1918 at Dulman Westf, Germany. While a prisoner, he was transported around
in a box car standing up with the rest of the prisoners. Walter told his children that the Germans had
been good to him. The Germans didn't have much food, but they always shared it with the prisoners.
Both the Germans and the prisoners went hungry. He had been stationed in France on August 31, 1918
and continued to be stationed there until after his release from the Germans. He served in France until
January 7, 1919. Walter was honorably discharged from the service on February 1, 1919.
Walter and Ben were two of thirteen children born to John Washington McCaleb and John Alice
Searcy; both lived and died in Smith County, TN and are buried at Heflin Cemetery. (Yes, Alice's
first name was John. She was named after her father who was a Civil War POW when she was born
and died at Belle Isle Prison Hospital in Richmond, VA of disease two months after she was born).
Walter McCaleb & his brother, Benjamin J. McCaleb were from Hickman, Smith County, TN
These Photos are from the Scrap Book "Views From The Battle Front"
By Robert Shelton McClellan
Walter Clarence McCaleb
Walter McCaleb On Left With A Fellow Soldier
Walter Clarence McCaleb on the right
Benjamin J. McCaleb
Benjamin J. McCaleb was born February 22, 1890 in Smith County, TN and died December 18, 1967.
He was married to Lillie Lancaster who was born December 16, 1896 and died February 12, 1969.
Group Soldiers Photo
Walter McCaleb Is In Center Of Front Row
Walter And Ben McCaleb Mounted
Walter McCaleb Mounted
Ben McCaleb Mounted
By Robert Shelton McClellan
OR