Berea in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Albert E. Baesel

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026

1. Albert E. Baesel Marker

Inscription.
Albert E. Baesel, World War I Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Lt. Baesel was one of only 3 soldiers from Ohio to be awarded our nation's highest military award for bravery in World War I.

March 21, 1890, Berea, Ohio - Sept. 27, 1918, France The son of Henry and Caroline Baesel, 2nd Lt. Albert E. Baesel was serving with the 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division of the United States Army when he was killed while attempting to rescue Cpl. Sterling S. Ryan near Ivoiry, France, during the second day of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the final major battle of World War I. His citation reads: "Upon hearing that a squad leader of his platoon had been severely wounded while attempting to capture an enemy machine gun nest about 200 yards in advance of the assault line and somewhat to the right, 2d Lt. Baesel requested permission to go to the rescue of the wounded corporal. After thrice repeating his request and permission having been reluctantly given, due to the heavy artillery, rifle, and machine gun fire, and heavy deluge of gas in which the company was under at the time, accompanied by a volunteer, he worked his

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way forward, and reaching the wounded man, placed him upon his shoulders and was instantly killed by enemy fire." Both Baesel and Ryan were killed.

The new American Legion Post 91 was named in Baesel's honor at a celebration held in Berea on July 4, 1919. His posthumously-awarded Congressional Medal of Honor was presented to his widow, Lydia Cole Baesel, Dec. 23, 1922. Hastily buried in France, Baesel's remains were returned to the U.S. and reinterred in Woodvale Cemetery, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, on April 11, 1926.

The City of Berea, Ohio, dedicates this memorial to one of its greatest native sons with great recognition and appreciation for so bravely serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Your service and supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten.

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."
~Joseph Campbell

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 21, 1890.

Location. 41° 21.989′ N, 81° 51.205′ W. Memorial is in Berea, Ohio, in

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026

2. Albert E. Baesel Marker

Cuyahoga County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and Riverside Drive, on the right when traveling south on Front Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 31 Front St, Berea OH 44017, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Cleveland,

on the Lake Erie Shore,

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Berea Veterans Honor Roll (here, next to this marker); Berea And Middleburg Township World War Honor Roll (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Berea Triangle (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); First Congregational United Church of Christ of Berea

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(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The “Big Quarry” (about 600 feet away); Berea Sandstone Quarries / The “Big” Quarry (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berea.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.