Sergeant Edward R. Talley was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 7, 1918 near Ponchaux, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company L, 117th Infantry, 30th Division. Talley was 28 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on 1924, 6 years after the action — presented at Russellville High School, Russellville, TN, by Lt. Col. Andrew J. White.
Talley was born on September 6, 1890 in Russellville, Hamblen County, Tennessee. Talley died on December 14, 1950 in Whitesburg, Tennessee, at the age of 60. He is buried at Bent Creek Cemetery in Whitesburg, Tennessee.
Talley is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 33 credited to Tennessee.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Undeterred by seeing several comrades killed in attempting to put a hostile machine-gun nest out of action, Sgt. Talley attacked the position singlehandedly. Armed only with a rifle, he rushed the nest in the face of intense enemy fire, killed or wounded at least six 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- September 6, 1890Born in Russellville, Hamblen County, Tennessee
- October 7, 1918Act of valor — near Ponchaux, FranceAge 28. Company L, 117th Infantry, 30th Division
- 1924Medal of Honor presentedPresented at Russellville High School, Russellville, TN, by Lt. Col. Andrew J. White.
- December 14, 1950Died in Whitesburg, TennesseeAge 60.
- Resting placeBent Creek CemeteryWhitesburg, Tennessee
