Edward R. Talley was a United States Army Soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions near Ponchaux, France during World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

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Biography

Depending on the reference, Edward R. Talley was born on either September 6 or 8, 1890 in Russellville, Tennessee

Russellville, Tennessee

Russellville is an unincorporated community in Hamblen County, Tennessee, United States. Located along U.S. Route 11E, it lies approximately midway between Whitesburg and Morristown.-History:...

. Sgt Talley joined the United States Army from Russellville and after completing recruit training was sent to France were he distinguished himself in action near Ponchaux, France. He was a Sergeant, in Company L, 117th Infantry, 30th Division when he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 7, 1918.

Sgt Talley died on December 14, 1950 and is buried at Bent Creek Cemetery in Whitesburg, Tennessee

Whitesburg, Tennessee

Whitesburg is an unincorporated community in eastern Hamblen County, Tennessee. The small, rural community is located along U.S. Route 11E. Whitesburg is bordered by Russellville on the west and Bulls Gap on the east. A U.S. post office, Whitesburg Elementary School and East Ridge Middle School,...

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Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company L, 117th Infantry, 30th Division. Place and date: Near Ponchaux, France, October 7, 1918. Entered service at: Russellville, Tenn. Born: September 8, 1890, Russellville, Tenn. G.O. No.: 50, W.D., 1919.

Citation:

Undeterred by seeing several comrades killed in attempting to put a hostile machine gun nest out of action, Sgt. Talley attacked the position single-handed. Armed only with a rifle, he rushed the nest in the face of intense enemy fire, killed or wounded at least 6 of the crew, and silenced the gun. When the enemy attempted to bring forward another gun and ammunition he drove them back by effective fire from his rifle.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I