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NC World War I Soldier Awarded Medals 92 Years After Death In France

By Lois Alley, The Raleigh Telegram

Week Of Thursday, February 11, 2010

GREENSBORO - Thanks to some help from a North Carolina Congressman, a Tarheel soldier was awarded several medals almost 92 years after his death on the battlefields of France during World War I.

On Friday, February 12th, in a special ceremony in Greensboro, U.S. Representative Howard Coble presented the medals to the family of Corporal Jefferson Lee of the 109th Infantry Regiment in the US Army.

Lee suffered wounds while serving with his Army unit, Company L of the 109th Infantry

Regiment, as they helped defend Fismes, France on August 18, 1918.

Corporal Lee died of his wounds on October 10, 1918, and is buried in the the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France.

The Meuse-Argonne Cemetary is one of the largest American cemetaries overseas, as the site was the starting point for one of the largest battles that ever took place in United States military history.

In the latter part of 1918, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, also called the Battle of the Argonne Forest, resulted in 117,000 casualties on the American side, 70,000 casualties on the French side, and around 100,000 casualties on the German side. However, the influx of American soldiers and the offensive helped to finally end the war.

At the recent medal presentation ceremony, Congressman Coble presented the medals to Corporal Lee’s niece, Mrs. Ann McCurdy of Greensboro.

“This was an honor that he deserved because he gave his life for this country and the freedom of this country,” said McCurdy to the media as she accepted the medals on behalf of her family.

Congressman Coble presented a Purple Heart medal, the WW I Victory Medal with France Service Clasp and the WW I Victory Button. His name will also appear on the World War I Honor Roll, which includes names of all American casualties from that war.

“This is one of the best parts of my job as representative, when I have the honor of presenting medals to deserving veterans or their relatives,” Congressman Coble said. “I have to admit that I have not had the honor of handing out many medals from what was known as The

Great War.”

Purple Heart photo: from US government.

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