Hoehm Town Happenings: Rededication of the Lt. Raymond B. Jauss Monument in Congers

Last week, we rededicated a historic monument to an American hero, Lieutenant Raymond B. Jauss, a resident of Congers who was one of 116,708 American casualties in the First World War. Raymond B. Jauss was born on September 12, 1894 in Albany, New York; his proud parents were Harry and Lillian Jauss. Mr. Jauss was an engineer, and at the time of his son’s death was Superintendent of the New York Central Railroad Station at Weehawken, New Jersey.

The Jauss family had two residences, living primarily at 151 East 80 th Street in Manhattan and maintaining a summer residence here in Congers. It was during these summers in Congers that Raymond came to know Harriet James, who lived across the street from him. A friendship developed that grew into a romance over time. Raymond enrolled in college at Columbia University, where he graduated in 1916 with a degree in Civil and Sanitary Engineering. After graduating, Raymond was working as a Sanitary Engineer when the United States declared war on Germany and officially entered into World War I in April of 1917.

On August 15, 1917 Raymond entered military service and was provisionally commissioned as a 2 nd Lieutenant. He went for training and was successively assigned to Camp Greene in North Carolina; then to Charlotte, North Carolina; and finally to Plattsburg, New York, where he was provisionally promoted to 1st Lieutenant and assigned to the 30 th Infantry Regiment of the 3 rd Division. It was here that he learned of his imminent transfer overseas to serve in combat. Before leaving for war, Raymond decided to return to Congers to quickly wed his childhood sweetheart, Harriet James. Raymond sailed for Europe on April 1 st , 1918, a time of intense German action that was threatening the allied hold on France. As Jauss arrived in Europe, Germany was engaging in a series of large-scale offensive battles seeking to divide the British and French forces. Germany had broken the Allied lines using the Marne River as the route to take Paris with the hopes of forcing France to surrender and Britain to negotiate a peace to end the war.

On midnight of July 14, 1918, the fighting commenced that was to become known as the “Second Battle of the Marne.” It was during this decisive battle that the 3rd Division earned the distinction that would lead to its storied nickname, “The Rock of the Marne,” as they were badly outnumbered and surrounded, yet held fast. The Battle was part of the larger Aisne-Marne Offensive that saw the United States troops holding in position against an overwhelming number of German forces and eventually pushing the Germans back. In fact, the Commanding Officer of the Division Major Ge eral Joseph Dickman, during the heat of this battle, famously cried out in French: “We Shall Remain Here,” which became a rallying cry. The French units on his flank had fallen back, but the doughboys stood firm. The Division did indeed remain in place and by the end of the first day the Americans had withstood the assault.

During the next two days, a furious counter attack decimated se eral German units. In the end, the badly outnumbered United States Forces fought and defeated six German regiments from two German divisions. One German regiment, which had 1,700 soldiers, was reduced to only 150 survivors. The engagement was the last serious German offensive action of the war in France. According to the Commanding Officer of the American Expeditionary Forces, General John “Black Jack” Pershing, the brave and gallant actions of the 3 rd Division were “One of the most brilliant pages in the annals of military history.”

According to numerous reports, Lt. Jauss was deep into this engagement and was assigned to the intelligence section. He was checking on forward observation posts when he was killed by an enemy shell sometime late on the first day or early on the

second day of battle. He was said to be carrying important communication dispatches to the forward area, as communications had failed during the battle. Lt. Jauss was credited with passing along information vital to the early success of the Allied troops. Eventually, Lt. Jauss’ body was recovered and he was buried with full military honors at the American Military Cemetery located at Belleau Aisne, France.

On August 9 th , 1918 by an act of Congress, President Wilson posthumously awarded Lt. Raymond B. Jauss the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second highest award bestowed upon United States Military personnel. The French Government also honored Jauss, bestowing the equally prestigious Crux de Guere.

After the war, the young widow Harriet Jauss became a teacher and eventually remarried Edgar Jolliffe. According to her 1975 Journal News obituary, she had remained a Congers resident for seventy years after moving here from New Jersey in 1905. She remained in Congers until her death in 1975. She was a local elementary teacher for over fifty years and was a member of the Congers United Methodist Church, located at the corner of Lake Road and Old Haverstraw Road. Reportedly, she died at the old County hospital in Pomona after a period of illness.

The Congers monument dedicated to Jauss has an interesting history of its own. It is tied to the creation of the first Veterans of Foreign War Post that was commissioned in Congers, also in honor of Lt. Jauss, on May 24, 1936. The Journal News edition dated

May 25, 1936 offers a detailed explanation of the chartering of the new Congers VFW

Post with state and national veterans leaders in attendance. The original flag that adorned the casket of Lt. Jauss in 1918 was presented to the VFW Post. The article suggests the post was chartered after a parade to the school auditorium as an overflow

crowd listened to numerous speeches, including one from a soldier who fought in the same battle in which Lt. Jauss was killed.

The Post eventually built the original monument at Congers St tion Park, which in recent years had deteriorated badly and was in need of restoration. Anyone who knows Congers knows the significance of the monument affectionately called the ‘cannon’ by local residents. Over the years it has been a source of pride and a focal point for gatherings. We rededicated this iconic monument cognizant of the memory of sacrifice that it commemorates. July 15, 1918, exactly 105 years ago, Lt. Raymond B. Jauss paid the ultimate sacrifice. An accomplished person with so much to live for, he voluntarily served, fought, and willingly gave his life for his country. I hope you will take the time to visit the newly restored monument. Let it continue to be a place of gathering, as people pause to reflect on the true cost of freedom. Let it be a place of recommitment to high ideals and patriotic fervor. May it stand here for the next one hundred years and be a solemn reminder that a hero once walked these quiet country streets. Let this memorial be an everlasting reminder to all who pass by of the terrible cost of freedom that we can never repay.