PEDRANTI

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 04:45:39 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, August 29, 1918
Page 5

Official confirmation of the death of three Marin county boys has come to three sorrowing families this week – death that came to them while fighting for the glorious cause of freedom – against the atrocious rapacity of the Hun. Marian county has three gold stars added to her service flag. They represent:
Frank S. Costa, of Marshall
Tony Morris, of San Rafael
Constantine Pedranti, of Olema

Notice of the death in action of Frank Costa came to the boy’s sister, Miss Emma Costa, a nurse at the West End Sanatarium. He died fighting at the front August 8th. Costa was not so well known here as in Marshall, his birth place and home. He volunteered his services while working in Sonoma county and left immediately for Camp Lewis.

Tony Morris went to Camp Lewis with a Contra Costa county contingent. His mother here, Mrs. Margaret Morris, received a brief notice yesterday from the Acting Adjutant General at Washington, reading:
“Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Private Tony Morris, Infantry, died July 22 from wounds received in action.”

The boy is well known here, where he was born and spent his youth.

Constantine Pedranti is the son of a prominent Olema family and is one of several children. His father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Pedranti, are in receipt of a splendid letter from the boy’s regimental chaplain in France, announcing the sad event.

He was the brother of Albert Pedranti, now at Camp Lewis; Ben Pedranti of Inverness, Romeo Pedranti, Nicasio, and Egidio Pedranti, of Olema. His sisters are Erma, of Olema, Sophie, of Nicasio, Mrs. O. J. Muscio, of Oakdale, and Mrs. E. F. Cassarotti, of Nicasio.

The letter follows:
Mr. Angelo Pedranti,
Olema, California
Dear Mr. Pedranti:
One of the painful duties of the army chaplain is to help care for the heroic dead. And yet it is a rare privilege, however painful it may be. Heroes live even though absent from us, cowards die and are forgotten. War calls for human lives. It is necessarily so. In this war we must give the limit. I read in the faces of these French people who have lost so heavily, something not written in books. It cannot be written. Patiently, silently, heroically they suffer and struggle on. We Americans will also show our true American spirit in this war.
Our battle, the first for this regiment, was wonderfully carried out. Nothing could stop our gallant troops. Advancing into a terrific fire – a baptism of fire the French Commander calls it when he cites them for conspicuous bravery – they drove the enemy before them.
Your son, Constantine Pedranti, was numbered with the gallant dead. He died fighting for those principles that we Americans love so well. He is honored by his officers, his comrades, yes, by all freedom loving peoples. I hope you will think of him as living in the hearts of those who knew him.
As Chaplain of this gallant regiment I extend to you my sympathy not as a matter of form but really from my heart. May God help you to bear your loss with patience. Always remember that he died bravely and that he helped to make the world a safe place for all humanity.
Very sincerely yours,
James R. Shanks
Chaplain 1st 30th Inf.
A.E.F. via New York