Frank C. Buford

Biography

Frank Cannon Buford (Jan 13, 1896 - April 2, 1921) was born in Somerville, Tennessee. His Father, Frank G. Buford, was the state representative to the Tennessee legislature from Fayette county from 1909 to 1911. Frank C. Buford attended the University of Tennessee from 1916 to 1917 before enlisting the Marine Corps when the United States entered World War I. He completed his training at Camp Sevier, South Carolina before being deployed as a Private to the Western Front. 

Private Buford was stationed in France as part of a Marine Reserve Regiment attached to the 5th Infantry Regiment. He participated directly in the Battle of Soissons during the last weeks of the German Spring offensive in the spring of 1918. During the battle, Private Buford was gravely wounded in action at Vierzy, France on July 18, 1918. His multiple wounds sent him to the military hospital in Paris for the remainder of the war and then transferred to Washington, DC in 1919. Private Buford was released after several months and returned home to Tennessee, but was never able to fully recover from the wounds he received in combat. He continued to receive treatment at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee until his death in 1921 from the continued complications from his grave injuries. 

Frank C. Buford is buried in Somerville, Tennessee.