Melville O. Talley was born near South Boston, Virginia, February 8th, 1895. He moved to Texas in 1907, remained there until 1910, and then went to Pocatello, Idaho, as a railroad employee. The exact date of his arrival in Nevada is not known, but he was employed at Ruth, White Pine County, on the railroad. On September 21st, 1917, he entered the service from Ruth, with the first White Pine County contingent. He served at Camp Lewis, Washington, in Battery E, 348th Field Artillery, 91st Division, until November 10th, at which time he was transferred to Company G, 164th Infantry, 41st Division, and went over-seas with the latter unit on December 15th, 1917. Soon after his arrival in France he was sent to join the 1st Division, which was about to be placed in the front line trenches near St. Mihiel. Having joined them (January 12th, 1918) he became a member of Company B, 1st Battalion of the 26th Infantry, and thereafter served continuously with them until the day he fell on the field of Cantigny, June 30th, 1918.

The 1st Division went into the Montdidier Sector on April 25th, but it was not until the 28th of May that they commenced the offensive against Cantigny. The battle raged furiously for three days while the Germans poured in a deluge of shell and made repeated charges to regain lost ground. But the 1st held fast to their gains until the enemy’s force had spent itself, not leaving the sector until July 7th, and then only when properly relieved. In the meantime, however, Private Melville Talley had bravely given up his life for the Flag. He was with a raiding party at the time, which captured or killed almost an entire regiment of the enemy, and for his gallantry on this occasion he was cited by the Division Commander for bravery in action and especially meritorious service with the First Division. This young soldier who added another touch of glory to Nevada’s history leaves three brothers and four sisters in the East and one brother in Texas. They are James I. Talley, Joe A. Talley of South Boston, Virginia; Sam P. Talley of Denneston, Virginia and W. H. Talley of Snyder, Texas; and Mrs. Sallie Thomas and Mrs. Ninnie Meadows of South Boston, Virginia and Mrs. Lucy B. Cole of Denneston, Virginia and Miss Hessie Talley of Omega, Virginia.