Peter Oliver Durenberger was born in Silver City, Lyon County, Nevada, October 3, 1877. He was raised in that town and worked in its mines, as well as in the mines in Virginia City and Tonopah. Five days after war was declared (April 11, 1917) he volunteered in the Machine Gun Company of the 163rd Infantry, 41st Division. He was made Corporal soon after, and later, before leaving the States, was promoted to First Sergeancy. In August, 1918, men from the 163d Infantry were transferred to the 125th Infantry of the 32d Division which had lost heavily in the Marne fighting. These replacements, among whom was Sergeant Durenberger, joined the 32d at Fismes, and soon after, the division was withdrawn to Sergy for a short training period. In the latter part of August they were rushed to the Soissons Sector to help General Mangin’s drive near the Gobain Forest. In this battle (August 27th-September 1st) the Sergeant was burned with mustard gas and sent to the hospital. On September 24th he again joined his regiment, then in reserve near Verdun. The division was ordered onto the line September 30th, and on October 6th was holding the front line near Gesnes. On the morning of October 10th the division carried its objectives and the 125th Infantry dug in on Hill No. 258. The next day (October 11, 1918) they carried the Cote-de-Marie, a hill opposite No. 258, by storm. Sergeant Durenberger, commanding the 1st platoon of his company, was hit in the head as they charged through a hail of machine-gun bullets, and died instantly. Hill No. 258 is now a National Cemetery, and there the gallant Nevadan was buried. Later his remains were removed to Grave No. 103, Section 32, Plot No. 2, Argonne-American Cemetery No. 1232, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France. He died as a brave American soldier, charging upon the enemy. His next of kin is Mrs. Carrie Hamilton, his aunt, who resides at 737 N. Center Street, Reno, Nevada.