Edward R. Talley

Sergeant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Sergeant Edward R. Talley (6 September 1890 - 14 December 1950) was a U.S. Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Edward R. Talley was born on 6 September 1890 in Russellville, TN. He joined the U.S. Army from Russellville and after completing recruit training was sent to France where he distinguished himself in action near Ponchaux. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 7 October 1918.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company L, 117th Infantry, 30th Division.

Place and date: Near Ponchaux, France, 7 October 1918.

Citation: Undeterred by seeing several comrades killed in attempting to put a hostile machinegun 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.

Death and Burial

Sergeant Edward R. Talley died on 14 December 1950. He is buried at Bent Creek Cemetery in Whitesburg, TN.