May 21, 1888 (Philadelphia, PA) – September 16, 1936 (Darien, CT); 48 years old
Married to Laura Davis in Wildwood, New Jersey in 1936
Last local address: 5 Chestnut Street, Norwalk
Enlisted on June 12, 1917; Discharged February 12, 1919
Service Number 1038273
Unit: Third Infantry Division, 10th Field Artillery, Battery B
Born to Elmer (1861-1915) and Caroline “Carrie” Hannock Flood (1864-1901). Twin brother Elmer (1888-1936).
Wounded at Madeleon Farms, October 13, 1918, Argonne. Received the Purple Heart Medal.
From The Norwalk Hour June 22, 1932
Howard L. Flood of 5 Chestnut Street has received his Purple Heart Medal from the War Department at Washington for military service overseas. Mr. Flood enjoys the distinction of being the first Norwalker to receive the medal which is awarded to veterans who have performed meritorious service and were wounded overseas. The medal is made of gold and bears the bust of George Washington in Gold bas relief on a purple background. The bust is surmounted with the oak-leaf cluster insignia of Washington. The medal is suspended from a purple ribbon to which is attached a pin. Mr. Flood is Chaplain of the Mulvoy-Tarlov Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
From The Norwalk Hour September 17, 1936
SERGEANT FLOOD DIES SUDDENLY
Has Heart Attack; Married Last Monday; City Flags At Half Mast; Praised By Mayor
Sergeant Howard L. Flood, 48, of 5 Chestnut Street, World War veteran and holder of the Purple Heart Decoration, died at midnight last night at the Fitch Home for Soldiers in Noroton of a heart attack he had suffered a few hours previous while he and his pride of a few days were visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sibal, George Avenue. Flood was stricken while having dinner at the Sibal home. He was taken to the office of a local physician who ordered him removed to the hospital at the Soldiers’ Home. His condition rapidly became worse and he died shortly before midnight. Mr. Flood’s twin brother, Elmer, died four weeks ago in Wildwood, New Jersey, leaving him his estate which included a house. Last Monday, the ex-serviceman was married to Miss Laura Davis of Wildwood, a friend for many years. They came to Norwalk for a two-week honeymoon and stopped at 5 Chestnut Street where Flood had lived before going to Wildwood. Flood was in a happy mood as he presented his bride to a host of friends here, telling them he and his wife expected to return to Wildwood to make their permanent home after their visit here. During the World War, Flood was gassed badly. A hat finisher at the Crofut and Knapp Hat Company, he was forced to give up that position because of his health. For many years, off and on, he had undergone treatment. On June 15, last year, prior to a parade in conjunction with the state convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Flood collapsed in a hotel in New London. At that time he was taken to the Newington Hospital by Harry Keisler, a close friend, on orders of Major Maher. For a long time, his life was despaired of, but he rallied and regained fairly good health. Flood had a colorful military career. In 1916 he went to the Mexican border with the Philadelphia, PA militia. When the United States entered the World War, Mr. Flood reenlisted and went overseas on April 23, 1918, with the 10th Field Artillery, Battery B, Third Division, as gunnery sergeant. He landed on French territory on May 7. He first went into action on Freves Farms, Chateau Thierry, and from there to Champagne and to St. Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne where he was wounded and gassed in action for which he was later awarded the Purple Heart Medal. he was sent to a French hospital after being wounded, remaining there until able to return to the United States for discharge. Flood was a Past Commander of Mulvoy-Tarlov Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Past County Commander of the Fairfield Council, VFW, Past State Chaplain of the Disabled American Veterans, and a member of the Frank C. Godfrey Post, American Legion. Flood had lived in Norwalk for nearly 30 years. He was a close friend of Mayor Frank T. Stack, in fact, acted as best man when the mayor was married. Upon hearing of the death of Flood, Mayor Stack immediately ordered the flag at the City Hall at half-mast. “One of my best friends has passed on. Howard Flood was one of my most loyal pals in the days when friends were few. He was my roommate in the early days of my coming to Norwalk and was the best man at my wedding. With sincere feelings of loss, I join with a host of his comrades in tribute to a real man, a gentleman, a real pal, and a real soldier.” Flood will be laid to rest in the soldiers’ plot in Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Funeral arrangements, in charge of Frederick H. Ganung, will be announced later.
Buried in Veterans Cemetery, 41 Hecker Avenue, Darien, Connecticut; Southeast Area, Row A, Grave 85. Photo by webmaster.
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