Stone Gardens: WWI Medal of Honor winner lived n Missouri, rests in Arkansas

M. Waldo Hatler, a World War I Medal of Honor recipient, was born Marcus Waldo Hatler on January 6, 1894, in Bolivar, Polk County, Missouri, to Troy Cornelius Hatler, a banker and real estate developer, and Rosamund B. Wilcox.

Raised alongside his younger brother, Waldo Harold Hatler, the family later moved to Neosho, Missouri, where Hatler worked in his father’s bank before enlisting in the U.S. Army.

During World War I, he served as a sergeant in Company B, 356th Infantry, 89th Division, and it was in the final days of the conflict that he etched his name into history with an extraordinary act of bravery.

On November 8, 1918, near Pouilly, France---just three days--Hatler’s unit, part of the American Expeditionary Forces, was stalled along the Meuse River, a natural barrier separating Allied troops from entrenched German forces.

The Meuse, swollen and swift from autumn rains, was a formidable obstacle, and the enemy’s positions on the opposite bank were shrouded in uncertainty. With time running out to gain an advantage before the war’s end, Hatler’s commanders needed precise intelligence about German fortifications and troop strength.

The mission was clear but daunting: someone had to cross the river, infiltrate enemy lines, and return with actionable details.

When volunteers were called, Hatler stepped forward without hesitation, the first to offer himself for what many saw as a near-suicidal task.

The crossing began under grim conditions. Hatler and another soldier plunged into the icy, turbulent waters, their rifles and gear weighing them down as they fought the current.

Midstream, tragedy struck--his companion was seized by cramps and drowned, leaving Hatler alone in the dark, frigid river. Undeterred, he pressed on, reaching the far bank exhausted but resolute.

Now behind enemy lines, he faced a new set of dangers: German patrols, machine-gun nests, and the constant threat of discovery.

Moving with stealth and precision, he crept through the muddy, war-torn terrain, observing the layout of trenches, the placement of artillery, and the density of enemy troops.

Every moment risked capture or death, yet Hatler’s focus never wavered. After gathering critical details—information that would later guide Allied strategy--he turned back, plunging into the Meuse once more.

The return swim was no less harrowing, his body battered by cold and fatigue, but he made it, delivering a report that proved invaluable to his commanders.

His citation for the Medal of Honor, awarded for this act, lauds his “careful and courageous” reconnaissance and the “great value” of the intelligence he secured, a testament to his singular resolve in the face of overwhelming odds.

After the war, Hatler returned to Neosho and married multiple times over the years. His first spouse was Mary Ruth Miller (1895–1976), whom he reportedly wed around 1920, though exact dates are uncertain.

 Margaret Yates Hatler

Later, he married Margaret Yates Hatler (1906–1979), who co-authored "The M. Waldo Hatler Story" in 1968, preserving his legacy after his death.

His third spouse was Nadean Boucher Hatler (1912–2001), though the timeline of these marriages remains unclear in public records.

While some sources hint at a possible daughter from one of these unions, this remains unconfirmed.

He lived in Neosho until his death on August 31, 1967, at age 73. His parents, Troy and Rosamund, died in 1932 and 1955, respectively, and his brother Waldo Harold passed in 1944, all buried in Missouri.

In 1968, Margaret co-authored "The M. Waldo Hatler Story," preserving his legacy.

Hatler was buried in the GAR Cemetery in Sulphur Springs, Benton County, Arkansas, 40 miles from Neosho.

The cemetery, historically linked to Union veterans but later used for others like Hatler, likely became his resting place due to its proximity and military significance, though no clear family ties to Benton County are documented.

Hatler’s Medal of Honor effort wasn’t just a moment of bravery--it was a decisive act that showcased his physical endurance, mental fortitude, and selfless dedication, turning the tide in a critical hour.

From Bolivar to France and finally to an Arkansas cemetery, his life remains a powerful chapter in America’s military history.