Michael Pressless DeRoy was born 16-NOV-1896. He lived at 1711 North Main Street in St. Charles MO. Parents were Albert DeRoy and Julia Ann Jose DeRoy. Had two brothers; Albert and Clifton and three sisters; Ethel, Lottie and Gladys. Michael worked for Western Cartridge Company in East Alton. He enlisted 17-JUL 1918 in the Navy. Michael was a sailor Fireman 3rdclass, USNRF Word War I. Michael died 3-OCT-1918 in Hampton Roads in the US Navy Hospital Naval Operating Base of pneumonia lobar. He was 21 years old. Michael is buried at St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery.
More U.S. soldiers died from the 1918 flu than were killed in battle during the war. Forty percent of the U.S. Navy was hit with the flu, while 36 percent of the Army became ill, and troops moving around the world in crowded ships and trains helped to spread the killer virus. At the time, there were no effective drugs or vaccines to treat this killer flu strain. Citizens were ordered to wear masks, schools, theaters and businesses were shuttered and bodies piled up in makeshift morgues before the virus ended its deadly global march.
We have limited information about Michael. If you have more information, please contact the museum.
Michael Pressless DeRoy is honored and remembered at the St. Charles County Veterans Museum.