Private First Class (PFC) Alton Ortelle Rosson was born in Culpeper County on May 1, 1896, to William Bushrod “Bush” Rosson and his wife Laura Belle Siple.  Bushrod was a farmer who also worked as a telegraph operator.  At the time of America’s entry into World War I in April 1918 Alton was employed as a carriage painter.  He entered the Army later that year and was assigned to Company I, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.  The 3rd Infantry Division had been activated in November 1917 at Camp Greene, North Carolina.  Alton and the rest of Company I shipped out to France in March 1918 aboard the USS President Lincoln, a former German steamer converted to an Army troop transport.  Ironically, the ship was later sunk by a German submarine in May 1918.  The 3rd Infantry Division earned lasting fame as the “Rock of Marne” when it helped repel a German offensive in July 1918 along the banks of the Marne River outside Paris.  During the war the 3rd Infantry Division sustained heavy casualties, including 3,177 killed and 12,940 wounded.  Alton was wounded twice and subsequently awarded two Purple Hearts.  Following the end of World War I the 3rd Infantry Division remained in France until August 1919, when it moved to Camp Pike, Arkansas.  Alton left the Army in July 1920 and worked as a painter for many years before he and his wife Marion Elisabeth retired to a farm south of Culpeper.  Alton died November 30, 1962, and was buried in Section B of Culpeper National Cemetery.  Marion Elizabeth passed away in 1976 and now rests with Alton. 

This is a painting of the 38th Infantry at the Marne River.

This is a picture of Alton Rosson in World War I.

ALTON ORTELLE ROSSON

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PFC

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38.47044293, -77.99122467

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