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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., March 20, 1919, page 1

LIEUT. LOUIS LEIDL ALIVE, IN HOSPITAL

That Lieut. Louis Leidl is alive and in a hospital somewhere in France, is indicated by messages received in the city this past week, although Wm. Leidl, his father, has received a communication from the captain of the company expressing his sympathy for the death of Lieut. Leidl.
In a post card addressed to Wm. McGuire of this city, Wendelin (Babe) Leidl mentions the approaching base ball season and says he will be home soon, concluding with the statement that "Louis is getting along fine." Paul Golden also received a card from Babe stating, "Prepare a good dance for about April 5, as I will be there with bells on to attend it. I doubt if Louis will be able to return until about July 1." The communication from the captain is printed in full at the end of this article.
Mr. Leidl has cabled to France for information; has enlisted the efforts of the Red Cross and the government associations in an attempt to ascertain the true status of his son, Lieut. Leidl, who was listed as missing in action since last October. Nothing has resulted, and no word has been received from Babe, who doubtless did not receive the cable messages or letters. The family has about given up hope of hearing their son was alive, although several months ago he was listed as wounded in a French hospital. No information could be received from that report. The two postals have given them much hope as to the ultimate recovery and return of their son, and is gratifying to the many friends in Klickitat county of Lieut. Leidl. It is hoped that more news will be received very soon to substantiate the hopeful postals received this week.
Twenty thousand are listed as missing in action, although daily the records are cleared up somewhat. After the several months following the close of the war, with plenty of help that can be called upon for compiling the work, and unlimited funds with which to pay for it, the reports are found to be sadly wanting in accuracy. The branch of the department has been condemned for its lack of efficiency, and there is a national hope that the casualty lists will be completely and definitely published very soon. Many families have not word from members in the service, and to all purposes the department is not able to get the desired information. All soldiers are tagged, and hospital cases must certainly be reported to some headquarters.
No intimation has been directly received that Lieut. Leidl is in a hospital, although there is no reason why such a report should not have been furnished the family. Following is the letter from the captain:

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Co. D, 7th Reg. U.S. Eng'rs,
Luxemburg, Feb. 12, 1919

Mr. W. Leidl, Glenwood, Wn.;

Dear Mr. Leidl: It is with the deepest sorrow and regret that I write you of your son, 2nd Lieut. Louis Leidl, formerly an officer of this organization, who has been missing in action since the operations at Cunel, France, on October 14, in which he was actively engaged.
On the morning of October 14 our company went over the top with the infantry near Cunel, France, advancing and capturing the two towns of Cunel and Romaign. Lieut. Leidl was last seen going forward rapidly in the town of Cunel, under fierce enemy machine gun and shell fire of every description. He had picked up a rifle and was fighting in the same manner as his men. With the distinguished valor of the American soldier, he fought with superb nobleness and great bravery, and always set a splendid example of courage to his men, and willingly gave his all for the freedom of the world and humanity. Your son was an ideal officer and soldier and at all times set a glowing example in maintaining the superb traditions of our army. He was idolized by all who served under him and had the confidence of every man in the company. At all times inspiring, he fearlessly and courageously led his men to many victories, and was ever untiring in his efforts to accomplished the glorious triumph that has come to our army. While Lieut. Leidl has never officially reported as killed, and we have been unable to learn anything regarding him after he was last seen going forward in the battle at Cunel, France, on October 14, it is believed that he was killed in action on that date. Should we learn any further particulars relative to your son, we will be only too glad to impart such information to you.
I can honestly say your son, Lieut. Leidl, was a man of very high ideals and excellent qualities, and his misfortune and separation from the organization has been greatly regretted by all who knew him.
The A.E.F., the men of the company and myself sympathize with you in your great sacrifice, and extended to you our heartfelt regrets and condolences. Yours in sympathy,

JOSEPH LARACY,
Capt. Eng'rs, U.S.A.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., April 24, 1919, page 1

LIEUT. LEIDL BURIED IN NORTHERN FRANCE

After several months of anxious waiting, during which time numerous conflicting reports have been received, the relatives and friends of the late Lieut. Louis Leidl are informed of the certainty of his death. Probably through a misunderstanding, some of the reports were received that gave buoyance to the hopes of his ultimate safe return.
As is now understood, Lieut. Leidl fell in action on October 14 or thereabouts. His body was not discovered until November 16. The government officially reported him as missing in action, and has not yet made any change on the casuality list. In fact, it is unlikely the government knows of his death, for the captain of his company wrote to Mr. and Mrs. W. Leidl stating his belief that Louis was killed in action, although his remains had not been found. This letter appeared recently in these columns, it being written since the first of the year.
Mrs. Josie Cavin, of Seattle, sister of Lieut. Leidl, received a message from Wendelin Leidl giving a brief mention of his death. She came to this city yesterday and is at present up the home place on a visit. A letter was received by Mrs. Ethel Baker from Wendelin, in which he stated he has been absent to the North of France, where he visited the grave of his brother; further that he expected to be home the last of this month.
This evidently clears up the mystery of his disappearance; there having been a number of ideas as to the situation, most popular among them being that Lieut. Leidl had been wounded and was in a hospital. The letter from his Captain substantiates his friends' belief in his qualities as a soldier. His friends were many, and it is with sadness this is chronicled.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., March 22, 1923, page 1

GRAVE OF LIEUT. LOUIS LEIDL FOUND

Mr. and Mrs. W. Leidl received word last week from the Seattle Chapter of the Red Cross that the grave of their son, Lieut. Leidl, who was killed in action during the world war, has been found and the remains identified. Since the war Lieut. Leidl's last resting place on foreign soil was unknown until recently, when it was found through the efforts of the war department and the Red Cross. The relatives of the dead lieutenant took all action possible to locate the grave and their efforts and desires were at last rewarded, according to the word they received last week. The letter from the war department to the Seattle Chapter of the Red Cross in reference to the matter is as follows:
"The Quartermaster General desires you to be advised, in reply to your letter of the 27th ultimo, that the investigation which has been conducted with a view towards locating the grave containing the remains of the late 2nd Lieutenant Louis Leidl, Company D., 7th Engineers, has been successfully concluded -- the remains have been identified in the Meuse-Argonne American cemetery at Romagne-sous-Montfauson, Department of Meuse, France. When the final grave number is assigned to the case of this late officer, the parents will be so advised as to the same.
"This cemetery has been designated for permanent retention and the grave of the soldier will be marked by an appropriate headstone of suitable design, and will be tenderly and fittingly cared for by this government for all time. The department believes that in this way can best be shown the sympathy of the nation for the bereaved relatives and appreciation of the great service the soldier rendered his country and humanity."
Lieutenant Leidl was raised in Goldendale and was well known here.
Louis Leidl Post No. 116 of the American Legion, which is the Goldendale post, was named in his honor.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., June 7, 1923, page 8

LIEUTENANT LEIDL'S REMAINS IDENTIFIED

Mrs. Leidl recently received additional word as to the identity of the remains of her son, Louis Leidl, killed in France:
"The Quartermaster General desires you to be advised that when a physical check of the unknown U.S. soldiers concentrated in to the Meuse-Argonne American cemetery, was made, one of these unknowns was identified as the late 2nd Lieut. Louis Leidl, by engineer's collar insigna on the remains, officer's cap and uniform. The dental chart taken prior to enlistment and the one taken up on disinterment of the remains checks very satisfactorily.
Lieut. Leidl was the only officer of the 5th Division Engineers reported originally buried in the American cemetery at Cunel, Meuse, France. It was also found that burials in the same vicinity of Lieut. Leidl's grave, were soldiers of the same organization, and killed on the same date. Therefore, from the above mentioned facts the Department has concluded that the body in question is that of 2nd Lieut. Louis Leidl.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., May 16, 1930, page 1

GOLD STAR MOTHER WILL VISIT SHRINE

Mrs. Wendelin Leidl leaves this week (Thursday) for New York, on her pilgrimage to France.
Her boy, who marched away to the tune of martial music, crossed the briny deep, infested with submarines, never to return.
To date there is a white cross over his last resting place in those green meadows of France. This summer will see a host of gray haired mothers going across the Atlantic to look down upon the graves of their sons. They will all be the guest of the United States government.
Now, 13 years after the entry of the United States into the World War, tears have ceased to be an outlet for grief. Mrs. Leidl, like hundreds of other mothers, has been held by the great physician, Time.
Upon Mrs. Leidl's arrival in New York city she will be met by an army officer, and escorted to a first class hotel where reservations have been made.
She will remain there from 24 to 48 hours, and at the proper time will be escorted to the steamship.
All women making the trip will be provided with cabin class accommodations. The ocean voyage will take eight days, and on arriving in France the mothers will be met by a party of officers who will take them to Paris in a special train.
The first day in Paris will be one of rest. On the second day the women will place a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier.
The entire duration of Mrs. Leidl's stay in Europe will be 14 days, and each one has been properly provided for in the way of tours.
The government of the United States stands all the expenses in connection with the trip. Before leaving home a check is mailed to each mother, sufficient to pay for their meals and other traveling expenses, while enroute to New York city.
Mrs. Leidl, before her departure east Thursday desired the Agri. to return her thanks to the various business men and others of Goldendale for the many courtesies rendered her during the past two weeks. She was not able to see each one in person.