Harry Lee Pearson

Harry Lee Pearson’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Harry L. Pearson (ASN: 1403333), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company No. 3, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ferme la Folie, France, 30 September 1918. While under heavy fire Private Pearson volunteered and, accompanied by another soldier, rescued a wounded comrade from an exposed position, carrying him to the first-aid station.

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 23 September 1888, Tupelo, MS, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 24 August 1950 Proviso Township, IL, United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Private
  • Company: [Machine Gun]
  • Infantry Regiment: 370th
  • Division: 93rd
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Harry Lee Pearson was born to Gabe Pearson (?-?) and Anna L. Nunnelee (1868-?) on 23 September 1888 in Tupelo, Mississippi, a half-sibling to Douglas (1882-1965). In the early 1900s, Pearson, his brother, and their mother lived in Independence, Arkansas, where they attended primary school; Pearson’s mother worked as a servant. It is unknown as to where Pearson’s father lived at the time, Anna Nunnelee Pearson indicated at least once that she had been widowed.

In the 1910s, Pearson worked for the Great Northern Railway out of Glasgow Station, Montana.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Pearson enlisted in the U.S. Army on 20 November 1917, and was assigned as a Private to Co. K, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division, AEF. Private Pearson and his company left Newport News, Virginia aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship President Grant on 7 April 1918. He was reassigned to Machine Gun Co. 3, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division, AEF by Fall of 1918. Pvt Pearson received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Ferme la Folie, France on 30 September;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Harry L. Pearson (ASN: 1403333), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company No. 3, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ferme la Folie, France, 30 September 1918. While under heavy fire Private Pearson volunteered and, accompanied by another soldier, rescued a wounded comrade from an exposed position, carrying him to the first-aid station.”

Pearson also received the French Croix de Guerre, level unknown, for an unknown citation. Pvt Pearson and his Company left Brest, France aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship La France on 2 February 1919; he was Honorably Discharged on 20 March.

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Upon his return home, Pearson married Rosie Lee Patton (1897-1936) on 11 August 1919 in Vancouver, Washington. The couple lived in Portland, Oregon with Pearson’s brother, sister in law, and mother into the 1920s (E Ankeny St), where Pearson retained his position with a railway company (unknown: whether he was still employed with Great Northern Railway) as a waiter in a dining car. In the 1930s the couple lived in Chicago, Illinois (4200 Langley Ave) with Pearson’s aunt Sarah Nunnelee Bridges, uncle, cousin, and great aunt. Pearson worked as a ‘tin washer’ for a pie manufacturing company. Before 1940, Pearson and Rosie Lee Patton separated; she married John L. Johnson before her death in 1936. Pearson and his mother lived together in Chicago (3827 Cottage Grove St.) for a period in the 1940s; by 1950, he lived alone.

Pearson died on 24 August 1950 in Proviso Township, Illinois; he is buried at Restvale Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.