The biography of Corporal Lee A. Horton in the early 1900s; his life, wars, losses and loves.

Corporal Lee A. Horton found his destiny serving on three warfronts: the Philippines, the Mexican Border and the maelstrom of World War I. The story is filled with the true-life military experiences of a young American coming of age between 1908 and 1919, passed down through his family for generations. Some creative liberty has been taken to fill in the blanks, as many family members and contemporaries have passed on; but the primary narrative is based firmly in extensive and thorough local research. Family archives provided invaluable galleries of photographs, letters, post-cards and official documents.

Lee's story starts in his teenage years growing up in the rural Midwest. The story outlines his personal relationships, family and events leading to his decision to leave home to work on the railroads. In 1908, changing circumstances cause him to decide to join the Army for a three year enlistment. We follow him through his enlistment experience to his training with the First United States Field Artillery at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He meets the renowned Geronimo, gains many invaluable skills and marvels at the newfangled airplane. He is then shipped over to the Philippines where his two year tour of duty is filled with danger of all sorts, deadly combat with the fearful Moro Islamic tribesmen and the discovery of his desire to make the military his career. He survives his tour and is discharged in 1911 - returning home to family and friends - and reestablishes himself there. His desire to serve drives him to join the local National Guard company with a close friend who plays a critical role in his future life. In 1916, his Guard regiment is activated and sent to the Mexican border to deal with the infamous Pancho Villa.