Clifford Futcher, a Methodist-Episcopalian minister, entered military service with the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1916. After four months on the Mexican Border with the 1st Infantry, he was mustered out of service, but returned to service when his unit was called back in 1917. Futcher was responsible for an unusual incident during the war, the hoisting of the only U.S. flag at the frontline trenches. All organizations were ordered to leave flags behind when they entered the front lines. Chaplain Futcher obtained a flag from an American nurse during a visit to a field hospital in July 1918. He carried the flag on his person all through battle until November 1918. On the morning of the last day of fighting, he proceeded to raise the flag on a telephone pole at 10:30 a.m. on November 11. At 11:00 a.m. he lowered the flag and brought it to the furthest point at the front of the American lines, and walked along the top of the trench waving the flag for all to see. He later donated the flag to the State Capitol in Pennsylvania.