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'They praised the YMCA in France and said they would support it to the end of their days I am staying at the hotel of the ‘High Mother of God.' My room is large and barnlike and hasn't been heated this winter I am so glad I came to do anything I can for these poor soldiers for letting me come and to the teachers who are taking my work for me 'I have my ‘identity' bracelet with my name and address on and must wear it and my uniform all the time The French people can't be too nice to American women in uniform.” Crandell was in her apartment across the street from the canteen when a shell from a German bombardment hit a window She was taken to a hospital but died a few minutes later She was given a military funeral the next day The French army chaplain who conducted the service said 'She came to work for soldiers; she died like a soldier.” She was the only woman buried in the military cemetery among the graves of 6,000 French soldiers American services were held in Paris the next afternoon scheduled a memorial service for her April 4 plans were underway to create a memorial at St the first American woman to be killed in active war work Katharine's envisioned a house for teachers Crandell's remains were later transferred to the American Cemetery at Argonne a memorial marker honoring her was placed near the Rock Island Arsenal Bridge (or Government Bridge) in Davenport Another marker was placed by the State Historical Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Annie Wittenmyer home in Davenport in 1979 Comments: (319) 398-8338; d.fannonlangton@gmail.com The Gazette has been informing Iowans with in-depth local news coverage and insightful analysis for over 140 years independent journalism with a subscription today © 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved