Service Number: 978474

Rank: Private

Born: January 5, 1893 at Moorhead, Iowa

Married: March 31, 1912 at Arnett, Oklahoma to Nila G. Devore

Died: September 17, 1918 at Toul, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

Leo Mikal Diacon was born on January 5, 1893, in Moorehead, Iowa, USA, to Henry Louis and Maria Diacon. His early life unfolded within the heartland of America, where he was raised alongside his siblings, including his younger brother Floyd Diacon. Leo married Nila G. Devore on March 31, 1912, in Ellis County, Oklahoma. The couple welcomed a daughter on September 4, 1913 and resided in the town of Arnett. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1916.

Leo and his younger brother Floyd were called up for service during World War I and departed Shattuck, Oklahoma to Camp Funston at Fort Riley, Kansas, on May 27, 1918. They both received medical training there. Leo Diacon was subsequently assigned to Base Hospital 82, part of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, a vital branch responsible for medical care and treating the wounded. On August 31, 1918, he departed for France aboard the transport ship Leviathan.

Although Leo’s role was within a medical capacity at Base Hospital 82, it placed him in the vicinity of Toul, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France, which was a key area during the later stages of the war. His duties would have involved treating and managing medical conditions, injuries, and battle-related traumas, providing essential support to soldiers on the front lines.

Shortly after arriving in France, Leo contracted lobar pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to the illness on September 17, 1918. Initially, Leo was buried at Kerfantras Cemetery in Brest, France. His remains were later moved to their final resting place at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, where he lies among other fallen American service members.

In 1929, Leo’s mother, Maria Diacon, journeyed to France as part of the U.S. World War I Mothers' Pilgrimage, an initiative that allowed mothers and widows of fallen soldiers to visit their graves. Leo Mikal Diacon’s service and sacrifice are commemorated through his burial at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, preserving his memory and honoring his contributions during the Great War.

This story was created with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT).

"Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VR3X-CSC : 15 Mar 2024), Entry for Leo M Diacon and Nila G Devore, 31 Mar 1912.

Hawkins, Maude F. The Republican-Record (Gage, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 4, 1913, newspaper, September 4, 1913; Gage, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1793321/m1/4/?q=Leo+Diacon: accessed November 6, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

James, Frank M. The Arnett Leader. (Arnett, Okla.), Vol. 11, No. 21, Ed. 1 Friday, July 28, 1916, newspaper, July 28, 1916; Arnett, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1784097/m1/1/?q=leo+diacon+divorce: accessed November 8, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

Burrow, J. W. Ellis County Advocate (Gage, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 30, 1918, newspaper, May 30, 1918; Gage, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1793950/m1/1/?q=Leo+Diacon: accessed November 6, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

Tipton, W. B. The Republican-Record (Gage, Okla.), Vol. 15, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 7, 1918, newspaper, November 7, 1918; Gage, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1794028/m1/1/?q=Floyd+Diacon: accessed November 6, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

"United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QRW2-7CT2 : accessed 10 Mar 2024), Entry for Leo Michael Diacon, 17 September 1918.

Tipton, W. B. The Republican-Record (Gage, Okla.), Vol. 15, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 7, 1918, newspaper, November 7, 1918; Gage, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1794028/m1/1/?q=Floyd+Diacon: accessed November 6, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56636846/leo_mikal-diacon: accessed November 15, 2024), memorial page for PVT Leo Mikal Diacon (5 Jan 1893–17 Sep 1918), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56636846, citing Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial, Fere-en-Tardenois, Departement de l'Aisne, Picardie, France; Maintained by Albert Ledoux (contributor 46511171).

Diacon, Leo Mikal