Henderson County Historical Society

Henderson County Historical Society's Artifact of the Week

On display at the Henderson County Museum is a Henderson County Honor Medal donated by Ron Chapin of Oquawka.  Illinois Honor Medals were special commemorative items issued locally to those who served in the “Great War.”  This medal was presented to Everett Dale Stine of Terre Haute, Illinois for his service to our country in the US Navy in 1917.  Mr. Stine was born on April 16, 1899 and died on April 18, 1968.  He is buried in the Terre Haute cemetery.  

The front of the medal reads, “Honor Medal, Henderson County, ILL, U.S.A.”  The back reads, “For My Nation, State & County - Dale Stine, Worlds War, 1917.” 

According to records from the Illinois Office of the Adjutant General, more than 351,000 men from Illinois served in the Army, Navy and Marines during World War I.  Approximately 5,000 of these men died during the war.

Fact: Illinois contributed the third-highest number of soldiers in WWI, behind only New York and Pennsylvania.   One out of every 12 Army enlistees was from Illinois.