Michael B. Chockie
Marriages
Irene Cramer
Died in 1966.
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise - October 16, 1980
Michael B. Chockie, who was credited with firing the first shot after the United States' entry into World War I, died recently in the Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Mr. Chockie, 91, was born on August 15, 1889 in Rock Springs, Wyo. He joined the Marines in 1915 and later served on Guam and in the Philippines, receiving an honorable discharge in 1919. He was one of a detail of 15 Marines based on Guam who fired three shots across the bow of a German launch on April 6, 1917, the day the United States declared war on Germany. Mr. Chockie was credited with firing the first American shot of the war, since it was several months before Americans fired on Germans in Europe.
The launch's crew, though unaware that president Woodrow Wilson had declared war, surrendered immediately.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Mr. Chockie went to work for the New Jersey Zinc Company in Gilman where he lived until his retirement. Later, he lived in Golden and Denver.
he was a member of the American Legion for 51 year and a member of Legion Post 178 at the time of his death.
Mr. Chockie's wife, the former Irene Cramer, preceded him in death in 1966.
He is survived by three sisters, Nelle C. Segelstrom and Marie Scrogan, both of Denver, and Ann Gillian of Mesa, AZ; and two brothers, Edward L. Chockie of Westcliffe and Joseph L. Chockie of Mesa.
Burial was in Fort Logan National Cemetery.
