BELLEAU COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Aisne
France
GPS Coordinates: 49°05'17.2"N 3°17'27.4"E
Location Information
Belleau is a small village in the Aisne region of France. Belleau Communal Cemetery is located North of the village on the D1390.
Ernest Stricker
Ernest (nee Ernst) Stricker was a Swiss native who became a naturalized US citizen in 1919. Though little information regarding Stricker’s military service is available, it is presumed that he served with either the 3rd or 26th Infantry Division before receiving honorable discharge on April 1, 1919.
Exactly 9 years later, on April 1, 1928, Stricker committed suicide at Aisne-Marne American Military Cemetery in Belleau, France near the battleground where he had served. His body was discovered the following morning just outside of the cemetery gates along with a note addressed to his comrades in the American Legion Post No. 1, Paris. It reads:
“I'm writing you these few lines with a heavy heart and deep thoughts, but I sincerely hope you will understand me. As I was moving among the white crosses under which some of my truest friends are resting forever, a feeling came over me that I too can't go on anymore. My health is failing, my hopes for which I have been striving all this (sic) years are shattered. I can't go on comrades, I can't go on.”
Following approval by the village mayor, Stricker was buried in the village cemetery with military honors on April 5, 1928. He could not be buried in the American military cemetery for it was closed, and he did not die during the war. It has been speculated that Stricker suffered from what is today known as PTSD.
The American government are investigating on whether to honour Ernest Stricker with an official headstone.
Belleau is a small village in the Aisne region of France. Belleau Communal Cemetery is located North of the village on the D1390.
Ernest Stricker
Ernest (nee Ernst) Stricker was a Swiss native who became a naturalized US citizen in 1919. Though little information regarding Stricker’s military service is available, it is presumed that he served with either the 3rd or 26th Infantry Division before receiving honorable discharge on April 1, 1919.
Exactly 9 years later, on April 1, 1928, Stricker committed suicide at Aisne-Marne American Military Cemetery in Belleau, France near the battleground where he had served. His body was discovered the following morning just outside of the cemetery gates along with a note addressed to his comrades in the American Legion Post No. 1, Paris. It reads:
“I'm writing you these few lines with a heavy heart and deep thoughts, but I sincerely hope you will understand me. As I was moving among the white crosses under which some of my truest friends are resting forever, a feeling came over me that I too can't go on anymore. My health is failing, my hopes for which I have been striving all this (sic) years are shattered. I can't go on comrades, I can't go on.”
Following approval by the village mayor, Stricker was buried in the village cemetery with military honors on April 5, 1928. He could not be buried in the American military cemetery for it was closed, and he did not die during the war. It has been speculated that Stricker suffered from what is today known as PTSD.
The American government are investigating on whether to honour Ernest Stricker with an official headstone.
