John W. Ivens, for whom the American Legion Post No. 42 at Grand Canyon, Arizona is named, was born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, 3 June 1893. He died in France on 24 June 1918 of injuries suffered in a gas attack during the night of 17-18 June.
John Ivens spent his early life on a farm in Wisconsin. He came to Grand Canyon in 1911 and the Fred Harvey Company employed him for a short time. Some time later he left and wandered about working on farms and telephone lines.
Again hearing the "call of the Canyon," he returned in 1916 and this time secured employment with the Kolb Brothers. Ivens remained with them until he volunteered for Army duty in 1917. His Army record follows:
30 September 1917
1 April 1918
17-18 June 1918
Enlisted at Flagstaff, Arizona Reported to Fort Riley, Kansas Transferred to Camp Kearney at San Diego, California where he remained in training until March 1918. At this time he volunteered for immediate deployment to France. Sailed. Upon reaching France he was promoted to Private 1st Class and attached to Company C, 2nd Field Signal Battalion. Along the division Axi ofLaison, near Coullmelle, France, he suffered fatal injuries in a gas attack.
