DOB/DOD: August 8, 1891 (Norwalk, CT) – October 24, 1918; 27 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 21 Pleasant View Avenue (later renamed Amundsen Street), East Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: April 30, 1918
SERVICE NUMBER: 366424
UNIT: Company A, 111th Machine Gun Battalion, 29th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Christian Larsen (1861-1934) and Christina Larsen (1857-1949), both born in Denmark. Two brothers, Fred (1887-1960) and Peter (1883-1960). Two sisters, Tillie Larsen Boothby (1890-1943) and Martha Larsen Olson (1886-1949).
CIRCUMSTANCES: Killed in Action at Bois D’Ormont, France, 18 days before the armistice was signed.
OTHER: Worked as a carpenter for Fred Hodges of East Norwalk before entering the service.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Killed in Action at Bois D’Etraye, France, 18 days before the armistice was signed ending the war.
From an unknown newspaper; found in a book of clippings at the Norwalk History Room in the Norwalk library
PRIVATE LARSEN KILLED IN ACTION
Corporal Albert C. Larsen, a well-known East Norwalk young man, was killed in action in France on October 24th, last, according to an official telegram from Washington, D.C. received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Larsen, last evening. He was one of the men called to the colors in April, and left Norwalk on May 1st, in company with the late Aime Tarlov, and others, for Fort Slocum, New York. After a few days there, the Norwalk men were sent to Camp McClellan, Anniston, Alabama. The soldiers sailed for overseas on June 14th, and almost immediately on arrival went to the fighting line in France. Very recently letters had been received from Mr. Larsen announcing his promotion to corporal.
He was a member of Norwalk Aerie, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the local carpenters union, and was well-liked by a large circle of friends. Besides his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Peter G. Larsen of New York, and Frederick Larsen of the United States Naval Reserves, and two sisters, Mrs. Robert Olsen, and Mrs. Herbert V. Boothby, of this place.
The official telegram of his death was as follows:
Mrs. Christian Larsen,
21 Pleasant View Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut.
Deeply regret to inform you that Private Albert C. Larsen, Machine Gun Battalion, is officially reported as killed in action October twenty-fourth.
HARRIS, the Adjutant General
From another unknown newspaper; found in a book of clippings at the Norwalk History Room in the Norwalk library
LARSEN CITED FOR BRAVERY
East Norwalk Relatives Receive Verification of Death in Performance of His Duty
The following letter has been received by Mrs. Christine Larsen, 21 Pleasant View Avenue, East Norwalk, from the commanding officer of Company A, 111th Machine Gun Battery, 29th Division, A.E.F. regarding Private Albert C. Larsen, whose death was recently announced in The Sentinel:
1. As commanding officer of Company A. 11th M.G. Bn., it is my duty to inform you that your son, First Class Private Albert C. Larsen (366424) was killed in action on the 24th of October 1918 in an attack on Bois D’Orimont, in which his company displayed such extraordinary heroism and courage that it was especially cited in orders by both the French and commanding General.
2. As his immediate commanding officer, I had a chance to see this young man constantly since his enlistment.
3. At Camp McClellan he was a willing worker and a model soldier. After arriving in the A.E.F. in the training area, in rest billets, and in the front-line trenches under action, he served his country to the best of his ability and at the time of his death, was in line for promotion to corporal.
4. I personally saw that this soldier had a decent burial and his final resting place is well marked. In my mind it is the duty as well as the privilege for one to be able to give their sons and husbands for the noble cause for which we fight, that future generations may live.
5. Will be more than willing to answer any questions you may wish to know.
ALBERT E. ELSEA 1st Lt. Inf., U.S.A.
NOTE: Lt Elsea (1893-1954) was from Lamar, Missouri, and survived the war.
From another unknown newspaper; found in a book of clippings at the Norwalk History Room in the Norwalk library
LARSEN’S PAL WRITES OF HIS DEATH
East Side Boy Killed Oct. 24th by the Explosion of a Shrapnel Shell
In a letter written by the pal of Private Albert Larsen of East Norwalk, his sister, Mrs. H.V. Boothby, has received an account of the death of her brother and learned he died a true soldier. The letter was written by Fred J. Meyer, Company A, 111th Machine Gun Battalion, 29th Division, A.E.F., who was with the local boy since he arrived in France and who was a witness to his death. The letter follows:
Fresnes, France,
December 9, 1918
Mrs. H.V. Boothby,
Dear Friend: Your letter of November 20, was received, and I was very glad to hear from you. My intentions were when we landed back in the States to stop off and see you when on my way home and explain to you the sad ending of my pal and your brother, Al Larsen. Al and I had been together most all the time we have been in France, bunking together and in fact together all the time. The time of Al’s sad ending was October 24, at 4:30 in the afternoon. At this time we were on the side of a hill and had been there for three or four days waiting for our orders. We were just after going through an engagement from which Al and I came out O.K. On the afternoon of the 24th, we went down the hill to get supper, and after Al got his, he started back up the hill with two other boys. A shell landed not far from them and the shrapnel was thrown in all directions. Al was in the middle and was killed outright. He did not suffer for a minute. The medical men were at his side before the sand and dirt thrown by the explosion had settled. That same night Al was buried and he had one of the best funerals I have seen in France. He was laid to rest in a cemetery and also had a sermon read over his remains. Before he was buried, his ring, two razors, pocketbook, and letters were taken from his body by the chaplain and I am sure that you will get them from the “Effects Department.” Al was struck in the chest, the shrapnel passing through and coming out the other side, killing him instantly. I hope that I have made myself plain as you understand this is a very difficult letter to write. As soon as I arrive in the States I will stop in and see you. Hoping you will receive this O.K. and that I will see you soon, with my deepest regrets, I remain PRIVATE FRED J. MEYER.
Cross Street renamed Larsen Street in 1921 in his honor
Private Larsen is buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Rue du Général Pershing, 55110 Romagne-Sous-Montfaucon, France; Plot D, Row 36, Grave 5. Photo provided by Aurélie Kieffer, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.
END
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