Biography
Sergeant Edwin Frederick Barnum was from Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Iowa State College with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1915.
Edwin enlisted November 6, 1917 in Washington D.C. with 30th Engineers, specializing in Gas and Flame. He transferred to Chemical Warfare Service at American University. He then sailed for France March 16, 1918 as a member of a unit to establish an American laboratory at Pateau (near Paris).
Edwin was promoted to sergeant and recommended for Distinguished Service Medal for brilliant work.
He sailed from Brest back to the US on Jan 10, 1919 and died at a base hospital in Camp Merritt, possibly from influenza, February 12, 1919.