Earl Herschel Pillow was born in Shawneetown, Illinois, June 1, 1889. He came to Marion in early boyhood with his parents, Judge and Mrs. George W. Pillow. His education was gained in the public and high schools of the city, graduating from Marion High School in the Class of 1906. He graduated from a business course in Brown’s Business College in 1912.
He was an employee of the Old Ben Mining Company at West Frankfort for six years and was chief clerk for the company when, in answer to his country’s call, he entered the army in April, 1918. On April 29, 1918, he left Marion for Camp Dix, and after eight days there sailed for France.
He was rushed to the front lines within five days after arrival, being one of two soldiers from each company selected for observation duty. He was on the firing line continuously from July 17 with but two short intervals. On October 24, he, with a few companions, led an attack against a machine gun nest of the enemy at Grand Pre. He was wounded and carried from the field to a base hospital.
The Red Cross nurse at his request wrote a cheerful letter to his father telling of his wounds but speaking hopefully of his condition. His father made several attempts to gain further information from the war department, but without success, until the sad news came that he had passed away on November 25, his death occurring at Base Hospital No. 19, Vichy, France.
A singular coincidence Is that the Red Cross nurse who ministered to him in the last hours, and who held his hand at the moment the spirit left the body, was Miss Elizabeth V. Marshall of Louisville, KY., daughter of an old attorney friend of Judge Pillow.
Corporal Earl Herschel Pillow, Co. M, 311 Infantry, died at Base Hospital No. 19, Vichy France, November 25, 1918 from wounds received in action at Grand Pre, October 24, 1918 while leading an attack against the enemy.
Earl was buried with military honors. The casket was draped in the American flag and an escort of French and American soldiers followed the casket to the American cemetery near Vichy. There services were conducted by the chaplain. Floral offering were numerous and beautiful. The nurse sent Judge Pillow a flower from the grave.
It was hard to believe that Earl had indeed paid the supreme sacrifice. His energy, goodness and love of life were such that it seemed death should have spared him. But the fact was confirmed when a letter was received from the nurse who was with him when the end came. She told of his fortitude and bravery in suffering of his every thought being of his home, his father, mother and other relatives.
Above all he spoke with tenderness of his mother, and his last words as his spirit left his body were, “Hello, Mother.” Who shall say that he did not see at that moment the veil parted, and his mother, with extended arms and a glorified smile, waiting to welcome him home?
Earl was one of the best young men of the county. To know him was to regard him with the highest esteem. As a boy and young man he was exceptionally a model to those about him. Without arrogance, but with true humility of spirit, he was full of love and energy. The playmates of his boyhood remained his friends in manhood, and the old and young alike were proud of his friendship. One of the manliest of young men, he never said a word or did an act to wound another.
His father to him was the embodiment of perfection. His mother passed away in his early boyhood, but his “second mother” loved him as her own, and he always had her tender affection and care. Earl loved his home. He endeared himself to all about him. He had a high regard for duty and when the call came to serve his country, without a murmur he gave up a good position, his home ties and all, to follow his hag on a foreign field, far from home.
Word from those who were with him over there brings the same story of friendship, love and devotion, with a bravery and devotion to duty that won the respect and love of officers and men alike. From a private he was promoted to a corporal, and had he lived would have won higher honors. And a spirit such as his can never die.
Earl has made the supreme sacrifice. His body lies beneath the lilies of France. The tenement of mortal day has returned to the elements, but his spirit lives on, and we shall see him as he is, in a glorified existence, when we, too, shall have passed on.
Earl, we bid you “au revoir,” but not farewell. The Giver of Life has called your spirit home. Gladly will we meet you in the new morning.
Earl was a member of the Sunday School of the First M.E. Church. He will be sadly missed there. His gold star is the fourth on the school honor roll. He was also an honored member of the Elks Lodge, which will hold a Memorial Service in his honor on Sunday, February 9, 1919.
Besides his parents, Earl leaves three brothers and two sisters. The brothers are: E.R. Pillow of Mount Vernon; Attorney Gordon Pillow of Johnston City; C.J. Pillow of Madison. The sisters are: Mrs. Chas. A. Swinney and Mrs. Zach Hudson of Marion.
Extracted from a memorial booklet, “In Memorium, Corporal Earl Herschel Pillow, A Soldier of the Flag, Who Gave His Life for his Country”, Williamson County Historical Society; published in “Footprints”, Volume 10, #3, 2007; photo taken from W.C. in WWI, 1918)