On this page we will look back at life in the city during the war years. Here we will provide the visitor with the stories making the news, what was happening in sports and entertainment, city politics, the social scene and the prominent people at the time. So, check back often for new editions. To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com

TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – TUESDAY AUGUST 20, 1918

This will be another day of clear, fair skies over the city. The high will be 80° with the low tonight about 62°.  A Philadelphia man has been awarded the Army’s highest decoration. Private Thomas Pisticoudis of 402 South 16th Street has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery under fire. The award was announced in a communique from General Pershing today. According to the report, Pvt.  Pisticoudis left his shelter and ran into an area undergoing sustained artillery fire near Chateau-Thierry to rescue three infantrymen injured by an exploding shell. Pvt. Pisticoudis freed the men who were covered by debris and led them back to the safety of American lines.

The woman who killed her three sons yesterday in Pittman, New Jersey was captured late yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Gertrude Powell was examined by three physicians including County Physician Dr. H.H. Clark and today declared to be insane. After seeing the woman this morning Coroner Elwood Downs stated an inquest would not be necessary. She is to be committed to the State Insane Asylum in Trenton as soon as the paperwork can be completed.

There is sad news from the literary world, Joyce Kilmer is dead. Although it has not been officially reported on the Amy casualty list, word of his death reached his family on Sunday. Mr. Kilmer was considered one of this country’s finest young journalists and poets. Perhaps his most well-known work is the poem “Trees”. He had attained the rank of sergeant with the “Fighting” 69th Infantry Regiment of New York. He was killed in battle on July 30 near the village of Seringes-et-Nesles beside the Ourcq River. Sgt. Kilmer leaves behind his wife Aline and four children. One daughter, 4 year old Rose, died last year from infantile paralysis.

Joyce Kilmer

In baseball today the Phillies are in St. Louis where they beat the Cardinals 3 to 0. Centerfielder Cy Williams led the effort with a home run. Elmer Jacobs pitched for the win. The Athletics were off today.

WAR NEWS 

The British continue their advance through the Merville sector of the Lys salient. So far the British have driven the Germans back between 3 and 4 miles. Between the Oise and the Aisne the French are attacking on a 15 mile front.

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