Bentley, Paul Cody

Born September 22, 1895, in Cleveland, Ohio. Son of Frederick William and Josephine Cody Bentley. Home, Chicago, Illinois. Educated Chicago schools, University of Chicago, and Harvard University, Class of 1917. Plattsburg Camps, 1915 and 1916. Joined American Field Service, May 19, 1917; attached Section Sixty-five. Croix de Guerre. Died September 16, 1917, of wounds received September 13, 1917, near Fismes. Buried at St. Gilles, Marne. Body transferred to Seringes-et- Nesles, Aisne.

IN September, 1917, officers commissioned at the first officers' training camps were mobilized for overseas service. In September, 1917, Paul Cody Bentley, whose eye-trouble had spoiled his chances for the American Army, was wounded in battle and died on the Chemin des Dames. An editorial in the Chicago Post remarks " that this young man who would just be going to the Rockford Training Camp, had he waited for a call to the new army, has now volunteered, served at the front, and met a soldier's death. All honor to his memory!"

Months before his departure Paul told his parents of his desire to go to France. This roused so great anxiety and such immediate opposition that Paul, absolutely determined in his own mind as to the rightness of his course, made no further mention of his plans. They were, however, quite final and definite, waiting only the completion of his college obligations. In May, Paul wrote his mother, forgetting, as sons must in such moments, the bitterness that tinges the pride of mothers who see their children go from them as men to war: "I am sorry you should be so upset . . . . . there is practically no danger . . . . . Nothing can make me change my mind." Unadorned in his own eyes by any trappings of prowess Paul was, as he said, "only doing what thousands of others are doing."

Paul was descended on both sides from old colonial families active in the early wars. He received his schooling in Chicago. After some months of surveying on the Pacific Coast and a semester at Chicago University, he entered Harvard, Class of 1917. "A faithful and a brilliant student," said a friend of an earlier college generation, Merritt Starr, "he was a leader among his companions, and a justly distinguished favorite with his superiors." He had no ambitions for social prominence or wide popularity. His circle of friends was a steadfast group, whose feeling went deep and meant much. He left college before graduation, having attended the two Plattsburg summer camps and been a corporal in the Harvard Regiment.

Bentley sailed for France on May 19, 1917, and went to the front with Section Sixty-five of the Field Service, where he exhibited ingrained qualities of faithfulness and cheerful disregard of self. The latter colors his letters. Redfield of his section said "Bentley was one of our best drivers. He never complained. He took dangers as they came without flinching. Everybody who came in contact with him admired him."

On September 11th Bentley wrote, "I am still very uncertain as to what I shall do next. But uncertainty is the main characteristic of the war. Everything is uncertain. . . . ." Two days later during a gas attack, his loaded car was struck by a shell, as he drove through the barrage and Paul, in the words of his citation, "lui-même très grièvement blessé, a continue à conduire jusqu'à l'épuisement de ses forces." At the hospital he rallied bravely for a time, then grew weaker, and died on September 16th.

"Very few of the world's successful lives," says Merritt Starr, " attain such measure of ideals sacredly preserved, of danger bravely dared, of success so nobly achieved, of recognition so worthily won."

"Bentley" writes a comrade, "was a true man. He died as he lived, bravely." And in the words of Paul's mother: " He helped. And knowing that he was content." Later she added: "He earned eight diplomas in his life time, but his real graduation, his real commencement of immortal life, came on Sunday morning, September 16, 1917."

• Tribute from Memorial Volume of the American Field Service, 1921