Waltham Hero during the Great War

Waltham Hero during World War I.

Walter T. Jensen of Waltham observed his 26th birthday on January 1, 1918 on a battlefield in France. Eight months later, as a result of his heroic acts on behalf of his men, he became one more casualty in the struggle between the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) and the German Imperial Army (GIA)

A member of the Yankee Division’s 101 Regiment “F” Company, Jensen quickly rose through the ranks. He attained the rank of Corporal on April 4,1918 and he was made a Sergeant only 12 days later.

As soon as F Company arrived by truck and by foot in the French town of Lucy-le-Bocage in July 1918, it prepared to go into battle with the “Huns.” Its first task was to establish two lines across the road leading to Paris, in an effort to stop the Germans from reaching the French capital. This meant it would have to repulse a succession of attacks by Germans who desperately wanted to march triumphantly into Paris.

It was due to the stubbornness and bravery of the men of the101st that the Germans did not attain their objective.

Having curtailed the German advance, the AEF launched its Aisne-Marne offensive.

On Saturday July 13th, Jensen and his platoon began to participate in the offensive. His mission was to pass through a ravine and capture or destroy the machine gun installation perched on a nearby hill.

It quickly became evident that any attempt to do so during daylight would be suicidal. So Jensen and his men had to wait until darkness before launching their assault.

Apparently the Germans anticipated such an attack. As soon as Jensen and his men began their advance, a rain of bullets descended upon them, followed by volley after volley of shell fire.

Inevitably five of his men were hit and then Jensen himself. Though his wound was serious, he refused to be taken back to the American field hospital.Instead he somehow managed to administer first aid to five of his men and comforted them even though he himself was bleeding.

He allowed himself to receive medical attention only after the five men were carried off the field of battle.

Although these acts of bravery were successful and far beyond the call of duty, he himself succumbed due to the fact that the delay in any attention to his wounds caused an infection that no medication could sufficiently curb.

Jensen was buried in a cemetery near Lucy-le-Bocage. But after the war, his body was returned to Waltham where it was buried in Mt. Feake Cemetery on a cold wintry day near Christmas in 1920. In attendance were his commanding officer, his widowed mother, his brother Conrad and his three sisters Mary, Ida and Lillian.

During the burial service, two citations were read. One stated, in part,”For meritorious and fine soldierly conduct and for extraordinary heroism while leading his platoon through heavy shell fire, he received the wound which resulted in his death.”