Melvin Deese Killed, Lonnie Tucker Severely Wounded in War, 1918

“The War Comes Home to People of Union County,” From the Monroe Journal, Aug. 27, 1918. The newspaper spelled Melvin Deese’s father’s name as McNeil on first reference and McNeill on second reference. I don’t know which is correct.

Messages Received Stating That Mr. Melvin Deese of Lanes Creek Township Is Dead From Wounds and Mr. Lonnie C. Tucker of Monroe Township Is Severely Wounded

The war has come home to Union county. Within the space of 15 minutes Sunday afternoon messages were received from Washington officially reporting the death of Mr. Melvin Deese, son of Mr. McNeil Deese of Lanes Creek township from wounds received in action, and the severe wounding of Mr. Lonnie C. Tucker.

The message in regard to Mr. Deese was addressed to his father, Mr. McNeill Deese of Lanes Creek township, and read: “Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Private Melvin Deese, Coast Artillery Corps, died August 14^th from wounds received in action.” It was signed “Harris,” the adjutant general.

Mr. Deese is the first native of Union county to make the supreme sacrifice. Lt. Ball, who went West over there, although he seemed as one of Union’s sons, was not a native. Mr. Deese was 28 years old and unmarried. He was a member of a contingent that went from here to Camp Jackson in December of 1917. He remained at the camp for several months. He was at home on furlough in March.

Somewhere not far from No Man’s Land, Melvin Deese, the first Union county man to give his life for the cause of world civilization, sleeps today, swathed in the flag for which he died. But he did not die in vain.

A brother of the dead man, Mr. J.S. Deese, has been in France for some time. He was in a contingent which left here in September.

Mr. Henry Tucker received a telegram Sunday afternoon about 5 o’clock stating that his son, Mr. Lonnie C. Tucker, is officially reported to have been severely wounded in action on July 20. The telegram informing him of the fact read as follows: “Regret to inform you that Sergt. Lonnie C. Tucker has been severely wounded in action on July 20^th. The department has no further information.” It was signed “Harris,” the adjutant general.

Sergt. Tucker is a son of Mr. Henry Tucker of north Monroe township. He enlisted in the regular army about two years ago and saw service on the Mexican border. He was a member of the American expeditionary force which first sailed for France. The fact that he has attained the rank of sergeant, as he was referred to in the telegram, speaks well of his record as a soldier. The wounded man is well known in Monroe and throughout the county. For several years he worked as a carpenter with his brother here. He was an expert workman.

Messrs. G.M. Tucker of Monroe, W.B. Tucker of Laurinburg, Vernon Tucker of north Monroe township and Byron Tucker of Monroe are brothers of the wounded man. Sergt. Tucker was a member of the 26^th infantry.

The Charlotte Observer wrote about the Union County soldiers who died in World War I. To learn more about these men, go to https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9143849.html