Ceremony on July 21 to honor Murphysboro World War I soldier Paul Stout, only 20, died while fighting in France

A ceremony this weekend will pay respect to a Murphysboro Marine who died in action during World War I.

Murphysboro American Legion Post 127 and the Marine Corps League Shawnee Detachment have arranged for flowers to be placed at the grave of Pvt. Paul N. Stout, the namesake of Murphysboro American Legion Post 127.

The service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 21 at the Murphysboro American Legion. During the service, the bells of First Baptist Church will ring 20 times, a toll for each year of his brief life. The ceremony also will include a recitation of "In Flanders Field" by Pvt. Stout's great-niece, Denise Miller. Finally, resolutions are being prepared by the Jackson County Board and the city of Murphysboro to honor Pvt. Stout.

Stout was killed in action in France July 19, 1918. A member of 47th Company, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Stout served throughout the European campaigns of World War I, including at the battle of Belleau Wood, before being felled by an artillery shell at the Battle of Chateau-Thierry. His personal awards include the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with valor device.

Stout was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper Stout, U.S. Marshal, of Murphysboro. Having been appointed to serve on a local draft board, Stout could have sat out World War I in the comfort and safety of home. However, eager to serve his country in the "war to end all wars", he left his position with the board and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, completing his training at Paris Island, S.C. It is believed that Stout was the first service member from Jackson County to be killed in action in a foreign war.

Stout is interned at the Oise-Aisne American cemetery in Fere-en-Tardenois, France.