On Guard

A native Southerner, Captain John Waring Weeks was a military man at heart. He served the National Guard and participated in World War I alongside the allies in the early 20th century. However, he also had a personal life with a wife, daughters, and a whole community around him.

Starting out in Aiken, South Carolina, John was born January 9, 1892. He graduated with honors from the Virginia Military Academy in 1913 and from the University of South Carolina in 1916. After he finished at USC, John joined the National Guard. He ended up in Pennsylvania, carrying on in Bellefonte, Lock Haven, Lewisburg, and Sunbury. When trouble arose at the Mexican border, John was there at Fort San Antonio to defend against German-ordered Mexican troops. He served the Guard until 1917, until his service was needed in France. The Great War had broken out across Europe and there was an opening for a promising new leader in the “Brave Rifles” in Fort Hood, Texas. Lieutenant Weeks, leading the 1st division of the 3rd cavalry, set sail for France on October 16th. A part of Troop K, he was one of few soldiers who saw battle. After 21 months serving his country, John came home.

Ten years later, injuries sustained in the line of duty led to his demise. In 1933, John passed in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C., aged 41 years old. However, the work he put in did not go unnoticed. His devotion to his country and the war effort led to his reception of two very prestigious awards: the French Victory Cross, as well as the Belgian Order of Leopold. The French Victory Cross was awarded to allied servicemen during WWI. The Belgian Order of Leopold was given to those who have assisted Belgium in battle and is rarely given to non- Belgians. By nature, John was a standout.

He was more than a hardened hero. He was a father, a son, and an idol. Born to Luther Jamison Weeks and Vandalia Cook Weeks of Aiken County. He was fortunate enough, or unfortunate enough, to have two brothers and a sister. Once he moved to Pennsylvania, John met the love of his life: Ms. Esther V. Phillips. A week before John shipped off to France, he and Esther exchanged vows and committed to love each other for the rest of their lives. They had two daughters, Mary and Margaret.

In addition to serving both his family and his country, John Weeks served his community in the 1920s. For instance, he hosted a celebration for the reserve officers at a local hotel in Pennsylvania. He also spoke to the Selinsgrove Chamber of Commerce, trying to land a civilian headquarters for the National Guard in downtown Selinsgrove. John served his community wherever he went, and the community returned the favor. That explains why he had the largest funeral ever held in Snyder County, accompanied by friends from the National Guard, as well as battle brothers from World War I.

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