Not many people in Meridian would recognize this person or even know his name. Hal Granberry was born on January 4, 1898, in Meridian. His father was Simeon S. Granberry, son of the Simeon S. Granberry who was the Supt. of the Confederate  Orphans Home in Lauderdale. Hal Granberry did prep work at Marion Military Academy before going to New York and getting appointed to West Point after 4 attempts. He graduated in the Class of 1923, number 210 out of 261 cadets. On graduation day, he married his West Point sweetheart, Molly Andrews Cary, in the Chapel at West Point. Sadly, four years later they were divorced while he was stationed at Fort Collins. On January 26, 1928 Granberry married Marion Virginia  Watt of Denver. During his army career, Granberry served with distinction, earning promotions and serving in many important positions. His second tour of duty in the Philippines began in eary 1941 after being promoted to Major. His assignment was Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 57th  Philippine Division, the Philippines Scouts. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel on December 24, 1941. He was mentioned in orders for his fierce defense of positions during retreat into the Bataan Peninsula. After the army was surrendered to the Japanese, Colonel Granberry was on the "Death March" and suffered the most horrible conditions at the hands of the Japanese at Cabanutuan and Camp O'Donnell, before being put on three different "Hell Ships" to be sent to Japan as slave labor. 1,619 of our soldiers left the Philippines on December 13, 1944; 1,348 were killed or died en route, and 161 died after arrival. Only 271 were liberated at war's end. Colonel Granberry was on of the several that died aboard the Brazil Maru on January 27, 1945. He was awarded two Silver Stars, a Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Cross, and a Purple Heart. There is a memorial marker in the family plot at Historic Rose Hill Cemetery. Another from Meridian, Mississippi.

      1st  Lieutenant Thomas Clay Carter, Jr. began his military service in August 1917, by application and acceptance into Officer's Candidate School at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. After graduating  from Meridian High School, Thomas was a Cadet Officer at Marion Military Institute  and an outstanding baseball player. His education was continued at the University of Virginia, where he was Captain of the baseball team. Thomas Carter was well thought of by all who came in contact with him.

      Thomas graduated from Officer's Candidate School in December 1917, receiving a commission and being assigned to the 320th Machine Gun Battalion at Fort Gordon, Georgia. In April 1918, the 320th Machine Gun Battalion and other American units were on the way "Over There" to join the American Expeditionary Force in France. Lieutenant  Carter was excited about going to war and the part he would play in the eventual victory. He saw his duty and clearly understood why we were involved and why it was necessary for the Allie Cause to prevail. After reaching France, he saw first hand the horrors visited on the land as well as the civilian population. Thomas also remembered the tales his father told about serving in the Confederate Army. Thomas wrote to his father from France, noting: "my only hope  is that I can make as good a record in this war as you made in the Civil War." The 320th Machine Gun Battalion was in action during the St. Mihiel campaign and then moved into the Muse Argonne region for the upcoming battle.

     Just after 5 PM, on October 13, 1918, Lieutenant  Carter and Goodshall were ordered to reconnoiter new machine gun positions between Marq and St. Juvin, France. Shortly after reaching the area, the two officers  came under heavy shell fire from the German lines. Captain Thomas Wert noted in his report that "Lieutenant Carter was struck by shrapnel in the chest and was killed instantly, and Lieutenant Godshall was severely wounded." Godshall was able to make his way back to headquarters, however, he was unable to bring Lieutenant  Carter's body with him. Two different search parties were dispatched that night to recover Lieutenant  Carter's body. The search parties were unable to locate his body because of the heavy shelling. Because of the Muse-Argonne offensive, Lieutenant  Carter's remains were not recovered for four days. Lieutenant  Godshall recovered from his wounds only to be a short time later killed in action. A brief military funeral was held at nearby Fleville, France, and Thomas Carter  was laid to rest among other comrades. The war ended at 11 o'clock on November 11, 1918, however, the Carter family in Meridian had no knowledge that Thomas had been killed in action. On the night of December 4, 1918, Eugene Carter, an older brother living in Tupelo, was notified by brother in law, Samuel Fowlkes, that Thomas had been killed in Action. Fowlkes, who was married to Irma Carter, sister of Eugene and Thomas, had received the sad news by telegram from Alabama senator Oscar Underwood. Eugene called his brother in law in Meridian, Frank Heiss, and asked that Frank and his wife, Elodie Carter Heiss, go inform Mr. Carter before the sad news appeared in the next day's paper. Thomas Carter was admired by all who served with him, from Officers to enlisted men he commanded. In the Carter Family Collection, at the Lauderdale County Archives, numerous correspondence contains comments by soldiers that served with Lieutenant  Carter. Captain Wert wrote to the Carter Family in December 1918: "I regarded him as my best friend and I knew I could see him no more it cast the greatest gloom over me. . . he was by far the best officer in our Battalion." In a later correspondence with the Carter Family, Captain Wert noted that: "He (Lieutenant  Carter) was admired, loved, and respected by all who new him and was one of the finest soldiers who ever wore the uniform."  The remains of Thomas Carter were moved to the Muse-Argonne Cemetery in March  1919. The family originally requested that Thomas be returned to Meridian for burial in the family plot at Magnolia Cemetery. However, Mrs. Carter had passed away in January 1918, and upon learning that Tom had been killed, Mr. Carter suffered a debilitating stroke. It was then decided to let him rest with other American heroes at Arlington.

      On August 28, 1921 Thomas Clay Carter, Jr. returned to America. There were six thousand coffins covered by American Flags on the pier at  Hoboken, New Jersey. His number was 0-551. Friends of the family attended the services at Hoboken and wrote brother Eugene: "we went because we knew T.C.'s body was there and we wanted him to have real friends near in the sad homecoming. . .  there were thousands present and all with an ache in their heart and tears in there eyes. . .  we are glad we could in ever such a small way pay our tribute  and express our love for the dear boy who died so gloriously." On September 1, 1921, with several family members present, Lieutenant  Thomas Clay Carter, Jr. was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

      The memory and sacrifice of Thomas Clay Carter, Jr., was honored on Memorial Day 2012, by the posthumous award of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Brigadier General William Crisler, Wing Commander of the 172nd Airlift Wing, MS Air National Guard made the presentation to members of the Carter Family. The Lauderdale County Archives and descendants of Lieutenant  Carter, with the assistance of Senator Roger Wick's office, requested that the award be issued in recognition of the sacrifice made by Lieutenant  Carter in World War I. The local post  Number 21 of the American Legion, proudly bears the name of Lieutenant  T. C. Carter, Jr.

         These words are attributed in a Poland to Sir James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas, a Scottish nobleman, on the moonlit night of August 5, 1388, a battle against the English, led by Harry Hotspur, son of the Earl of Northumberland, was fought. Otterbourne is a village south of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the area called the Scottish Borders. The English supervised of the Scots, Sir James Douglas was killed early on, and the Scots were on the verge of being soundly beaten. Then, the miracle occurred, unaware that their leader had been killed, the Scots began a fierce counterattack, screaming "a Douglas!, A Douglas!" This carried the day, the Scots killed or captured 1800 of the English. This event was rightfully called "A Dead Man's Victory" because of the premonition Sir James had of been killed in the battle. This phenomena is seen again in the legends of "El Cid" Roderigo de Vivar was defending the Spanish city of Valencia from the Moore's when he was killed. At a critical time, his body, in full armor, was strapped on his horse and he wrote out of the gates leading his men. Needless to say, this scared the Moore's and put new life into the Army of El Cid. There are 2 versions of the story. The other is that "El Sid" died peacefully in bed. Good stories sometimes make good legends.
 
       A more recent tale of a dead man winning a battle begins in early 1943. Everybody in the world knew that the Allies next move in the Mediterranean was the invasion of Sicily. However, a British Operation was planned and executed to make the Axis Powers believe that the invasion would be in the Balkans. Captain (acting Major) William Martin, Royal Marines, assigned to combined operations, was created, the man who never was. A grieving Welsh father volunteered the remains of his recently deceased son, who had died of pneumonia, to play the part of Major Martin. After the veil of the Official Secrets Act was lifted years later, there is some dispute who actually played the part of Major Martin. It probably was Seaman Jack Melville, who had been drowned in the explosion of the HMS Dasher. Nonetheless, Major Martin was put into the sea close to the Huelva, Spain, with a briefcase containing sensitive documents, knowing that the Spanish would give German intelligence access to the documents before they were returned. Major Martin, was buried with full military honors at the Cementerio de la Soledad in Huelva, Spain. The Germans, after investigating the documents and circumstances as best they could, believed the documents and move troops and equipment to the Balkans. They were a bit surprised when Sicily was invaded. 2 days after the Normandy invasion, a landing craft washed up close to Normandy containing document setting out future plans after the invasion. Having been stung by the Major Martin affair, the Germans ignored the gift because they still believe the invasion was to come through the Pas de Calais. During the invasion of Holland, called Operation Market Garden, a German patrol found an American staff officer who had been killed in a glider landing. With the American officer were the complete plans of the Market Garden Operation. Again, after having been bitten by the major market deception, the Germans chose to believe the documents were fake. The rest is history. Perhaps the moral of the story is "never look a gift horse in the mouth."

Who would ever believe that the son of a Scottish gardener would become a great naval hero and the father of the American Navy?      Born on July 6, 1747, in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, his parents were John Paul and Jean McDuff. At 13, he shipped out of Whitehaven as an apprentice seamen aboard the "Friendship." It is safe to say that salt water ran through his veins because he was more comfortable lessee than anywhere else. By 1766, Paul was 1st made on the "Two Friends," Quite an Accomplishment for a 19-year-old Boy. In 1768, John Paul Assumed Command of the brig "John" when the captain and 1st mate, died of yellow fever. The owners were so impressed by his seamanship that they made him master of the brig. Over the next 2 years, the "John" made 2 voyages to the West Indies. An incident on the voyage in 1770 became an albatross for Capt. Paul, he flawed a sailor who later died. One must remember that the law of the season. The 1700s made the captain judge, jury, and executioner. Discipline was extremely harsh and just the thought of disobedience or mutiny could get one 20 lashes or hung from the dart arm very quickly. This incident haunted the reputation of Capt. Paul. On a later trip to Tobago, he was to be brought up for court-martial, so he decided to move to Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1773, to escape the predicament in which he found himself. In Virginia, his brother had recently died, so John Paul took charge of the estate and became another person, John Paul Jones. The next 2 years are somewhat of a mystery because little is known of his activities. By 1775, the Americans and British had chosen not to be friends any longer and the Continental Navy was formed. This was John Paul's cup of tea. With the help of influential friends, and Richard Henry Lee, Jones became 1st Lieut. on December 22, 1775, aboard the frigate "Alfred." On December 3, 1775. Jones had raised the 1st Continental naval flag on the "Alfred," the Grand Union flag. After a successful voyage against British shipping, Jones was appointed captain of the sloop "Providence," a 12 gun vessel. He was promised a command of one of the 13 frigates being built for the American Navy. During a six-week voyage, the "Providence" captured 16 prizes and spread considerable discomfort throughout the British shipping industry. Shortly after this cruise, Jones was given command of his previous ship "Alfred," and continued spreading father terror over British shipping interests. Not only was Capt. Jones a very accomplished seamen. He was also a bit self-centered. This kept him at odds with his superiors, who he felt were incompetent and in many instances, he was probably right. This was the same problem that existed in the British Navy. Position was bought with money and family influence, not usually one with ability. On June 14, 1777, Capt. Jones assumed command on the "Ranger" and sailed for France on November 1. Benjamin Franklin assured the fiery captain the command of a ship being built in Holland would be years, however, British intervention Rob Jones of the ship. On February 14, 1778, France became the 1st nation to salute an American man-of-war. On a cruise to England, Jones raided the village of Whitehaven and on his return voyage, encountered the "HMS Drake", a 20 gun sloop. After an hours battle in which the Drake's captain was killed Jones captured the Drake and made for Brest, France. This action was another 1st for the fledgling American Navy, the capture of the military combat. During this period of his life, Jones still was contending with a less qualified people who guided his destiny. On September 23, 1779, Capt. Jones commanding the "Bonhomme Richard," sailed out "going in harms way," seeking English merchant convoys. Off Flamborough Head, he encountered the HMS Serapis, a 44 gun British man-of-war. From the deck of the Bonhome Richard, with her flag shot away, Capt. Jones was asked if he had struck his colors. It was then that the immortal words of defiance came from Capt. Jones; "I have not yet begun to fight." The “Bonhome Richard” was lost in the fight, but the Serapis was captured. For this action, Capt. Jones was honored by France with the title of "Chevalier". The British considered him a pirate. Without prospects of employment from his adopted country, Capt. joins join the service of Catherine of Russia in 1788, with the rank of rear admiral. Jones faced many of the same problems in the Russian Navy as he had in the American Navy. Ability counted very little an injury kept him from truly being an effective commander. Embittered, he returned to Paris in May 1790. On July 18, 1792, Chevalier, John Paul Jones died in Paris, a broken, embittered man. He was buried in St. Louis Cemetery and forgotten for 113 years. On April 7, 1905, after searching for 6 years, the American ambassador to France, located the burial place and the admiral was exhumed, identified beyond a shadow of a doubt, and returned to America reward the US S Brooklyn. As the convoy approached American shores, 7 US battleships join the procession, escorting the Admiral's body to his adopted home. On January 13, 1913, John Paul Jones was reinterred in a beautiful sarcophagus in the United States Naval Academy Chapel. The ceremony was presided over by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt. Sec. of the Navy, Charles Bonaparte said of Jones; "we have met to honor the memory of that man who gave our Navy is earliest traditions of hero wisdom and victory." Beginning of
 
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sell fast; for I intend to go in harms way." John Paul Jones

     Our world has seen wars and heard rumors of war, but nothing has ever quite matched the horror of World War I. It all began on June 28, 1914, when a Serbian assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia. It ended in "1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, an armistice was signed. The war to end all wars was over. The guns became silent in Europe." America did not enter the war until 1917, however, we had 117,000 soldiers killed and 204,000 wounded. The number of missing in action is debatable, but is fixed at 4,500 in some sources. This based on a total mobilization of 4,272,500 soldiers. On the other hand, the Austro-Hungarian Empire lost 4,820,000, 74% of their mobilized soldiers. Germany and Russia lost some 55% of their total mobilized force. Trench warfare, gas, and new weapons of warfare took their toll on soldiers of all nations.
    On November 11, 1921 an unknown World War I soldier was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1926, Armistice Day was recognized through a Congressional Resolution and became a National Holiday 12 years later. Shortly after Armistice Day was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe and the World saw the beginning of another World War. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a proclamation designating November 11 ass Veterans Day.
     "This day is not to honor war, but the sacrifice made by others for our freedom." Some Confuse Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day is the day intended thank and honor those living men and women who served in our military, in peace and war. Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who made the supreme sacrifice. As a practical  matter, we honor the living and dead on Veterans Day. To honor the American war dead, poppies are traditionally worn on Memorial Day. This tradition stems from a poem written by John McRae in 1915:

"In Flanders filed the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row by row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Field."


John McCrae was a physician from Canada. He fought in the Boer War and returned to Canada to complete a fellowship in Pathology. He went to France as a Brigade Surgeon and Artillery Officer in Early 1915. While performing a burial service for Lt. Alexis Helmer, a friend, he was inspired to write "In Flanders Field."  Rather than accept less hazardess  duty behind the lines, Lt. Colonel McCrae stayed with his unit. In January 1918, he became ill with pneumonia, complicated by meningitis. Lt. Colonel McCrae died on January 28, 1918, and was buried with full military honors at Wimereux Cemetery, Boulogne, France. Now you know the rest of the story.