Pvt. Ernest Montgomery, A.E.F. [American Expeditionary Forces]
Ernest Montgomery, the youngest son of Thomas and Dorcas A. Montgomery, was born August 25, 1894, in Wilson County, Kansas.[i] The last six years of his life were spent near Claremore, Oklahoma.
During his early life in Kansas, Montgomery became a member of the M.E. Church, and when his family moved to Oklahoma, he became a faithful attendant and member of the M.E. denomination at Claremore.[ii]
Montgomery graduated from Claremore’s high school in 1912. The Claremore Messenger advertised, May 17, 1912, “Programme of Claremore Common School Graduation Exercises at Opera House Tonight 8 o’clock… Class Colors: Rose and Pearl Gray. Class Flower: White Rose.” Many of his male classmates, “Leroy Rylander, Waitey Dodson… Linn [Lynn] Riggs… Paul McCain… Virgil Fowler… Ernest Montgomery… Arthur Tommey, Clyde Calloway, Willie Buchanon, Martin Garst, Kenneth Moore, Scott Gibbs,” would go on to make Claremore history.[iii]
The year of his graduation, Montgomery was elected 1st vice-president of the local Junior Agricultural Club of Rogers County.[iv] “Organize Agricultural Club – Representatives of the local Junior Agricultural club of Rogers county met last week on the call of B.H. Hester and John W. Wilkinson, supervisors of the boys’ and girls’ clubs for the A.&M. college of Stillwater, and perfected an organization at the Claremont school building in Claremore… The following officers were elected: … 1st vice-president, Ernest Montgomery, Claremore.”[v] In his adult life, Montgomery became a successful farmer by occupation and a breeder of full blood hogs.[vi]
Five years after graduation, the entire world had changed. World War I had been raging across Europe since 1914. In April 1917, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson gave up his neutrality doctrine and the United States declared war on Germany, entering the War to End all Wars.[vii] August 3, 1917, a critical announcement printed in The Claremore Progress demanded, “Examination of Drafted Men will Be Started Next Saturday Morning.” Ernest Montgomery, Claremore, Oklahoma, draft number 707, complied.[viii]
Surprisingly, Montgomery failed the initial physical exam. He had a physical disability. Ernest Montgomery wore glasses![ix] “These Men Will Not Serve – They Are Discharged. All young men of the first call in Rogers county who failed to pass the physical examination for military service under the provisions of the selective draft law, have been issued certificates of discharge by the Rogers county exemption board. Such persons are not further liable for military service, according to Joe Chambers, county registrar. Following is a correct list of the young men who have been issued certificates of discharge on account of physical disabilities…” Ernest Montgomery’s name was on the list.[x]
Loyal to his country, despite this rejection, he served where he could, becoming a ready contributor to the Red Cross and the war funds. [xi]
Six months later, wearing glasses was no longer a cause for active service denial. February 21, 1918, the announcement was made. “These Men Next to Go to Camp Travis, Tex., Following List of Those to Go Compiled by Local Board for Rogers County. To Entrain Here Next Saturday. The Troop Train Due at Frisco Station at 10:50 a.m. – Usual Ceremonies. The following will comprise the squad of 54 draft boys to go to Camp Travis, Texas, from this county next Saturday. They are to leave on a special Frisco troop train due here at 10:50 Saturday morning. The entrainment will be attended by the usual ceremonies. The boys are to report to the local board at 1 p.m., the preceding day, Friday, February 22nd, at which time they will receive instructions.” Ernest Montgomery, Claremore, made the list. His fate was sealed.[xii]
“Draft Boys Entertain For Camp Travis. The Special Troop Train Due Here at 10:50 a.m., Did Not Arrive Until 11:40. Ceremonies at Council Chambers. Departing Boys Given Candy, Food, Testaments, and Word of Good Advice. Fifty-four Rogers county draft boys entrained for Camp Travis, Texas, here Saturday morning on a special Frisco troop train, due here at 10:50 but the same was behind time and did not leave the local station until 11:40. A large crowd was present at the depot to wish them good-bye and God-speed. Prior to the hour of entrainment, the draft boys were assembled at the city hall in the council chambers where the good-bye ceremonies were held. Rev. Hunter, pastor of the local Baptist church, delivered the farewell address while others so desiring spoke to the boys. The Red Cross had prepared for each boy a large box of candy and a box of foodstuffs while each man to go was presented with a small khaki-covered testament – a gift of the people of Claremore. Friday afternoon at the same place they had been given talks on the soldier insurance bill by Judge W.H. Bassmann and the workings of the Red Cross by Mrs. George Wyvell. Following the ceremonies at the city hall Saturday morning, with the Boy Scouts acting as a military escort, the draft boys again formed in line and marched to the Frisco depot for entrainment. The scene at the depot was an inspiring one and differed little from previous like occasions when other squads went to Camp Travis from this county. The boys were accompanied as far as Tulsa by W.R. Holland, who had charge of them while in the city, and Joe Chambers, chairman of the local exemption board. The following went from this county: …William M. Harris, Claremore… Milton C. Epperson, Claremore… Walter T. Caffey, Claremore… Earl C. Springer, Claremore… Ernest Montgomery, Claremore… Stephen A. Jordan, Claremore… Stephenson Fisher, Claremore… Walter R. Tackett, Claremore… John Alfred Casey, Claremore… Benjamin M. Smith, Claremore… Wm. Porter Thurman, Claremore… Benj. Love Henry, Claremore…”[xiii]
After training at Camp Travis, the latter part of June Pvt. Montgomery and his comrades sailed across the Atlantic for France. Arriving there safely, he sent letters home to his parents. When he wrote his last letter home, he had not yet been in active service.[xiv]
“Another Soldier Boy Letter” was printed in The Claremore Progress, the letter having arrived a month after it was written. “The following letter has been received from France by Mrs. D.A. Montgomery, residing 3 miles north of Claremore, from her son, Ernest Montgomery.
“July 28, 1918. Somewhere in France. Mrs. D.A. Montgomery, Claremore, Oklahoma: Dear Folks at Home,” Pvt. Montgomery began. “I will try and let you know that I am well and having a good time. Hope you are the same. It is trying to rain again today. We had a good shower yesterday, and I had to go thru [sic] some of the thickest brush I ever saw before. While it was raining, I had my raincoat but it didn’t do much good. How is the corn crop making it this year? Are Claude and Leslie going to raise any on Dog Creek this year? This country is sure a fine country to work in. We have not had a real warm day since we came here. Sometimes it gets pretty cold at night. I received a letter from Aunt Matt a few days ago. This is supposed to be a rest day but it seems like we are all busy. Some of the boys are down on the creek washing their clothes, some are cleaning their rifles, and some are writing letters. I got an old French woman to wash my clothes. Well, I guess I will close for this time as there is not very much to write about. Good-bye for this time. Write soon. Pvt. Ernest Montgomery, Co. K. 358 Inft. A.E.F.”[xv] [American Expeditionary Forces]. This was the last Pvt. Montgomery letter printed in the local newspapers.
September 27, 1918, Pvt. Montgomery and his comrades charged into battle. His division, along with others, made a diversionary attack on the heavily fortified German positions of the Hindenburg line near the French city of Pont a Mousson. The intent was to distract and divert German forces away from the actual offensive in the Meuse-Argonne. The diversionary attack was brutal. On the date of that attack, the division experienced its highest casualty total.[xvi]
A month later (November 14, 1918), Private Montgomery’s mother received a telegram from Washington, D.C., bearing the news that her son was dead, killed in action. His mother’s reply, “Ernest was a good boy and prepared to go.” [xvii]
After the news of Pvt. Montgomery’s death, this obituary appreared in The Claremore Progress. “Obituary. Ernest Montgomery, son of Thomas and Dorcas A. Montgomery, was born August 25, 1894, in Wilson county, Kansas, and was killed in action in France, Sept. 27, 1918. Early in life he became a member of the M.E. Church in Kansas, and seven years ago when the family moved to Oklahoma, he became a faithful attendant and member of the same denomination in Claremore. It is with great sorrow the church people, neighbors, and friends learn of his death.
“Ernest was loyal to his country and all deserving needs of mankind, a cheerful contributor to Red Cross and war funds. When the world war called for volunteers, he was anxious to serve his country, was refused for service once on account of wearing glasses, then afterwards accepted into the service.
“February 23, in company with many other Rogers county boys, he departed for Camp Travis, Texas, for military training. The latter part of June he was heard from in N.Y., then sailed for France about June 28th, and arriving there safely. His parents received encouraging letters from him until about two months ago. Since then, long looked for letters failed to come. When his parents last heard from him, he had been in no active service. On the 14th of November the telegram came from Washington, D.C., bearing the sad news of his death, ‘in action in France.’ How nice that after reading the message the mother could say, ‘Ernest was a good boy and prepared to go.’ A father and mother, two small nephews who reside with them, and four brothers Ernest leaves to mourn his loss – Claude and Leslie at home, Boyd near Sageeyah and one brother in India.
“Ernest was a farmer by occupation and a breeder of full blood hogs. His crops and stock bear me out in saying he was a most successful young farmer. Could his life have been spared, he would have made any community an ideal citizen.
“Sleep on, ye brave; the shrieking shell. The quaking trench, the startled yell. The fury of the battle hell, Shall wake you not, for all is well – Sleep peacefully, for all is well.
“Memorial services will be held at a near date in honor and memory of this noble life lost in the Supreme Sacrifice for his country. – A Neighbor.”[xviii]
In late December 1918, before Pvt. Montgomery’s body was repatriated, the M.E. Church held a memorial service in his honor. “Fitting Tribute Was Paid the Memory of This Hero at the Methodist Church Sunday. Impressive Program Given. Company L Attended in a Body and Added Military Air to the Gathering.
“A very beautiful and impressive memorial service in honor of Ernest Montgomery, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Montgomery, who was killed in action in France on September 27, was held at the Methodist Church Sunday afternoon.
“The services were attended by the local company of the National Guards which added a touch of military honor by marching to the church in a body under command of its captain and occupying seats reserved for it in the center of the church.
“The pulpit was draped with the colors and upon the wall hung a large service flag containing a blue star for each boy in the service from the church and one golden star for him in whose honor the services were held.
“The simplicity and earnestness of the program added greatly to the impressiveness that will make it long remembered.
“‘Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,’ sung by the choir, was followed by the solo, ‘Face to ‘Face,’ by Miss Beulah Bassmann. The Rev. T.C. Coup offered prayer and Mrs. W.S. Crouch gave the very appropriate poem which has grown out of the incidents and circumstances of the world war, ‘In Flanders’ Field’ and ‘The Answer.’” [xix]
“In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders’ fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders’ fields.”[xx]
“A male quartet sang and Sammy George Feezell dedicated The Golden Star with a recitation. S.B. North read a brief sketch of the life of the deceased and Dr. Caroline Bassmann followed with a personal tribute to his memory. Resolutions from the Sunday School and Church were presented by H.H. Makemson and Captain Kight followed with a brief but fitting tribute to the mothers of soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice. The pastor, Rev. H. Thomison, then preached a short sermon from the text: “He Being Dead, Yet Speaketh,” in which was shown the deathless character and unending influence of good deeds and heroic action. The services closed with a song, ‘Sweet Resting,’ by a male quartet, and the company of National Guards marched out and formed a double line thru [sic] which the congregation passed as they left the church.”[xxi]
As an act of respect, soon after Claremore’s American Legion Post No. 141 was established, it took the name Montgomery-McKinney in honor of Ernest Montgomery and Jim McKinney, two local men who had died in France.
“Claremore Post No. 141 Has Good Meeting. The Claremore Post No. 141 American Legion met in regular session Wednesday night at the Milam Filling Station roof garden. A good number of the ex-service men were present. Business of importance was transacted and two of the main things done was the ordering of all bills outstanding against the Legion paid and the renaming of the post after some of the boys killed in action. Several names were offered to be voted upon, and it was decided to name the post McKinney-Montgomery Post No. 141. These two boys were very well known here in the city. Montgomery having lived here for the past ten or twelve years, his parents residing southeast of town. He was a schoolmate of many of the boys present at the meeting. McKinney, son of Bud McKinney was born in the city of Claremore and was one of the first killed in action. He enlisted in Missouri as he was working there at the time, but he was accredited to Rogers County.”[xxii]
When Pvt. Montgomery’s body was returned to Claremore, a second obituary was posted in his honor in the local newspapers.
“Obituary – Ernest Montgomery was born August 25th, 1894, in Wilson county, Kansas, and lost his life in the Argonne Forest [see clarification above] front September 27th, 1918. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Montgomery, of this city. The last six years of his life were spent near Claremore until his enlistment in the army. He was an exemplary young man, clean in all his habits, quiet, and studious, a member of the Methodist church of this city and devoted attendant at the services of the church. He is survived by his father and mother and four brothers.
“No greater tribute can be given his memory than to say he did what he thought was right. He paid the supreme price in following out his convictions. All honor to the one who in the hour of his young manhood will face death unflinchingly in the cause of right and honor. He is gone but, he, being dead still speakest to us of the worth of true manhood and a splendid upright life.
“‘Upon the hillside, you marched to death,
That Liberty for evermore might live.
And when the ravaged goddess gasped for breath,
You gave her freely all you had to give.
The soil is richer for your lying there;
The air is sweeter for the breath you brought.
Tho’ dim your eyes, yet see you not how fair,
And peaceful flowers wave where you fought.
Sleep on, Oh comrade, yours is the Holy sleep,
And meeting God at last, your journeys cease.
Our task is to travel on and sacred keep
The memories of your ‘bit’ to bring us peace.’” [xxiii]
The Claremore Progress reported, “The body of Ernest Montgomery was laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery Wednesday afternoon with full military honors. The services first under the auspices of the local post of the American Legion. Services first were held at the City Hall park and afterwards at the grave. The funeral was largely attended, the business houses of Claremore closing for the occasion to show due honor to this dead hero. The local Legion Post is jointly named after Montgomery and Jim McKinney, another local boy who fell in France.”[xxiv]
The Claremore Progress added further details of the memorial in the following week’s newspaper.
“The funeral of Ernest Montgomery was held Wednesday afternoon, October 26th, with full military honors, the services being conducted by the local Montgomery-McKinney Post Number 141, of the American Legion. The last sad rites for this fallen hero were largely attended. The stores of the city closed for the occasion.
“The basket [casket] draped in the Stars and Stripes was conveyed on a Cassion from the Moore Chapel to the City Hall Park where Howard Thomison, pastor of the Methodist church, preached the funeral sermon. Suitable music was rendered by the choir.
“The line of march was as follows: Band, Colors, Firing Squad, Cassion, Pall Bearers, Post Personnel, Public. Upon arrival at the park the Post members and ex-service men formed a double line and faced each other. The casket was then conveyed to a point in front of the nationally decorated band stand where it reposed during the services.
“From the park the body was bourne to Woodlawn cemetery where Rev. Wm. T. Pugh and Rev. Thomison had charge of the services, which were very impressive. Wm. A. Briscoe, Jr., Post Commander, made a few remarks, then a prayer was offered after which Mrs. Montgomery, the lad’s mother, was presented by Mr. Briscoe with the flag which had draped her boy. Following this Mr. Pugh, Chaplain of the local post spoke a consoling message, after which the firing squad fired three volleys over the grave. Then taps. Howard Thomison concluded the ceremonies with a tribute to the dead hero and consoling words for the bereaved ones.
“The Color Guard was composed of Jesse and Dennis Bushyhead and Lee Bradley, students at the Oklahoma Military Academy. The pall bearers were: Paul Sutton, Aaron Wilson, Wileford Boren, Jack Carnes, Mr. Taylor, Everett Peck while the personnel of the firing squad included the following – John Dale, Bill Miller, Tom Dean, John Hutchinson, Duck Henry, Clem Bibles, Pete Corwin, Jim Caffee, and Font Gott.”[xxv]
As was tradition, resolutions were also posted in the newspaper. “Resolutions of the M.E. Sunday School. WHEREAS, The memories and sacrifices of the late war are brought afresh to our minds, by the return of our soldier dead, Ernest Montgomery, to be laid with loving hands tenderly away, to rest in peace amid the quiet scenes of his boyhood, so far from the mad carnage of war that claimed his life; and,
“WHEREAS, It is with a high appreciation of his manly character, his quiet sincere life, crowned in the end by a heroic death, that we think of him today; a boyish friend, kindly and helpful; a soldier stalwart and courageous answering his country call; a hero, meeting a hero’s death in historic Argonne. Buried for a time in a foreign soil, made forever sacred by the shed blood of every liberty loving nation of the world. Today returned to us, wrapped in his country’s flag and bringing a flood of memories that we do well to ponder lest we too soon forget the sacrifice of those, who like our friend, went out to war and came not back again.
“NOW, Therefore, Be it resolved that we recognize in his manly Christian life and in his heroic soldiers death, the highest achievement possible to the human soul, that we realize with a new understanding of its great truth, the saying that, ‘Not How Long, But How Well; how long we live not years, but action tells.’ What achievement! What glory! What undying service in God’s own Holy worldwide cause, has been wrought by our friend and brother, who has so freely given his life that others might live and be free.
“RESOLVED, That we shall ever cherish and hallow his memory, for the consolation and inspiration that his brief but full life gives to us all; that we extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved parents and other relatives, knowing full well how powerless human sympathy is to heal the wounds of death; and that we can only commend to those in deepest sorrow, for their solace and consolation, the thought already expressed, that service and achievement, and not length of days, are the true measure of life, and measured by this standard, which God himself has set, their loved one has lived the fullest possible measure of life.
“RESOLVED, That a copy of these resolutions be entered on the records of the Sunday School; a copy given to the press, and a copy presented to the parents of our departed friend and brother. H.H. Makemson. W.H. Bassmann. Committee. Claremore, Oklahoma. October 26th, 1921.”[xxvi]
With this, Pvt. Ernest Montgomery was placed on the Roll of Honor with other brave veterans of past wars who were buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. [xxvii]
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
Research assisted with invaluable information shared by John Milam
Sources: Newspapers are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.
[i] Ernest Montgomery. Birth 1894, Kansas. Death 1918 (aged 23-24), Oklahoma. Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot CP2-3.-L15-3W. Co. K, 358th Infantry, KIA Sept. 27. Aug. 25, 1894 – Sept. 27, 1918. “Died in the service of his country.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33094717/ernest-montgomery Accessed: March 15, 2021.
Father: Thomas R. Montgomery (1856 – 1949) m. 1876. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33095224/thomas-r.-montgomery
Mother: Dorcas A. Montgomery (1858 – 1946) m. 1876. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33094641/dorcas-a.-montgomery
Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[ii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[iii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, May 17, 1912, accessed March 15, 2021.
Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader. And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 12, Ed. 1 Friday, May 24, 1912, accessed March 15, 2021.
[iv] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader. And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, May 3, 1912, accessed March 15, 2021.
[v] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader. And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, May 3, 1912, accessed March 15, 2021.
[vi] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[vii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 25, No. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 2, 1917, accessed March 15, 2021.
[viii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 25, No. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 2, 1917, accessed March 15, 2021.
[ix] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[x] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 25, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 16, 1917, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xi] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 21, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xiii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021..
[xiv] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xv] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 29, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
AEF = American Expeditionary Forces. Established July 5, 1917 in France under the command of Gen. John J. Pershing alongside French, British, Canadian Australian against Germany – summer Battle of Chateau Thierry and Battle of Belleau Wood. En. m. Wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Expiditionary_Forces
[xvi] John Milam as yet unpublished research.
[xvii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xviii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1918, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xix] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 2, 1919, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xx] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 18, 1918, accessed May 22, 2021.
[xxi] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 2, 1919, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xxii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 6, 1921, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xxiii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 27, 1921, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xxiv] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 27, 1921, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xxv] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 3, 1921, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xxvi] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 10, 1921, accessed March 15, 2021.
[xxvii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 16, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 1, 1922, accessed March 15, 2021.
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