World War I Memorial

Rockingham County World War I Memorial was erected in 1924 to honor the men from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County who lost their lives while serving in the war. In the lower right corner of the bronze scroll, the names of six African Americans are listed:

1. Pvt. Henry Arrington of Elkton served in the 803rd Pioneer Infantry. He died in England on October 4, 1918, at the age of 26. His body was returned to the United States on October 2, 1918 and he was buried in an unmarked grave in the Mt. Paran Church Cemetery in Elkton.
2. Pvt. Hamilton Brown of Elkton served in the 14th Divisional Company. He died on October 18, 1918 at Camp Meade, Maryland. His body was returned to Elkton and was buried in the Mt. Paran Church Cemetery.
3. Cpl. John Warren Newman of Harrisonburg served in the 37th Regiment, 154th D.B. He died on October 5, 1918 while stationed at Camp Meade. He was buried in the Newtown Cemetery.
4. Pvt. 1st Class John Billhimer, from the community of Zenda, served in the 370th Infantry of the 93rd Division. He was killed in action on November 3, 1918 at age 24. He was buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in Seringes-et-Nesles, France.
5. Seaman Ernest Williams (listed as Ernest Rouser) of Harrisonburg served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Wyoming. He died on September 20, 1918 due to an accident at sea. His body was recovered and returned to Harrisonburg for burial in the Newtown Cemetery. 
6. Pvt. William L. “Willie” Washington of Bridgewater served in the 349th Field Artillery of the 92nd Division. He died in France on December 18, 1918. His body was returned to the U.S. on April 22, 1922 and was buried in a small cemetery off Lamber Town Road near Briery Branch, Virginia, west of Bridgewater.