John Hubert Woodward, of Hamburg, was the first soldier from his community to die in World War I. 

Born in 1892, Woodward attended Iowa State from fall 1911 to spring 1912 for a one-year dairy science program. He was drafted by the Army in 1914 as part of the L Company of the 117th Infantry Regiment — a National Guard division. 

Woodward and his unit arrived in May 1914 in France. Despite Germany and Austria sending peace notes to the United States, Woodward’s unit progressed into the broken German line in October 1914. It is likely that Woodward lost his life during the advance Oct. 6 near Ponchaux, France.

Woodward was buried Oct. 10 at Sevier Cemetery and later moved to the American Somme Cemetery at Bony, France.