On this day, in 1918, Ptv. Henry Gunther decided it wasn't over until the last shot was fired. Unfortunately, that last shot took his life.

The Last man

Private Henry Gunther was the last soldier killed in combat during World War I. He died at 10:59 a.m. on November 11, 1918, just one minute before the armistice went into effect at 11:00 a.m., ending the war. Gunther charged a German machine-gun position in the village of Chaumont-devant-Damvillers, France, despite orders to stop and the Germans signaling to him to halt. He was shot in the left temple and died instantly, making him the final Allied combat casualty of the war. Posthumously, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and had his rank restored after being previously demoted. A memorial in France now marks the spot where he fell, and his remains were returned to Baltimore, Maryland for burial.