b. 06/09/1890 Russellville, Tennessee. d. 14/12/1950 Whitesburg, Tennessee.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 07/10/1918 near Ponchaux, France.
Depending on the reference, Edward R. Talley was born on either September 6 or 8, 1890 in Russellville, Tennessee. He joined the United States Army from Russellville and after completing recruit training was sent to France where 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.
MOH 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: BENT CREEK CEMETERY, WHITESBURG, TENNESSEE.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.