Ph. Mate, U. S. N., Hdqrs. Co., 6th Marines, 2nd Div. Born in Guilford County, Jan. 29, 1894; son of Wm. O. and Bessie O. Stratford. Entered the service May 14, 1917, at Greensboro, N.C. Sent to Paris Island, S. C. Transferred to Quantico, Va., and from there to League Island, Philadelphia. Sailed for France Oct. 17, 1917. Was promoted four times. Fought at Verdun area, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Champagne, Soissons, Argonne and Meuse. Received the Croix de Guerre from Marshal Petain and marched through France and Belgium, Luxemburg, with U. S. troops to the Rhine and with the Army of Occupation five months and received divisional citation from the USA Mustered out of the service at Hampton Roads, July 2, 1919.
