Edward Sledge, Badin Boy, Killed in Action, 1918

“In Memorium—Edward L. Sledge,” from The Badin Bulletin, Albemarle, N.C., published once a month. The Bulletin is a newsletter for employees of the Tallassee Power Company in Badin.

The Bulletin feels honored in honoring the memory of the first Badin boy who has made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country. The record of the life of Eddie Sledge is not a long one, for he was just entering the period where a man takes up a man’s work when he joined the ranks of the soldiers of liberty. But in his brief life he has attained what thousands of others are not privileged to do—he has placed himself on the honor roll of our Nation’s heroes.

Eddie Sledge was born on May 21, 1893, in Randolph County, North Carolina. He received his education in the public schools of Asheboro, and afterwards came to Badin with his parents, entering the employ of the Company in the electrical department. Here he remained until April, 1917, when he took up his military training at Camp Sevier in Georgia. He went to France as a member of Company “F”, United States Infantry, and was killed in action May 28, 1918.

In the words of the Secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, “He died that his country and the high ideals for which it stands might live; and his country will forever cherish his memory.”

It is the purpose of the Historical Commission to construct a Roll of Honor, and preserve it along with the similar Roll of Honor of her Confederate soldiers, which the State kept from 1861 to 1865.