Rev. Elton Cartis Tucker Papers
Scope and Contents
The collection contains materials pertaining to Elton Cartis Tucker’s service in the U.S. Army. Items range from his service in the military, material on the First U.S. Infantry Division, and various memorabilia such as a cloth and paper swastika to postage stamps to a small shaving mirror.
Dates
- 1942–1945
- circa 1940s
- 2002; undated
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
On July 27, 1924, Elton Cartis Tucker was born in Forest, Mississippi to Floyd Lee Tucker and Lessie Lee Rushing Tucker. He had two brothers, Floyd Lee Tucker, Jr. and Maxie Lee Tucker, and one sister, Hazel Golden.
Private First Class Elton C. Tucker served in the United States Army during the Second World War. He served with the Fifth Field Artillery Battalion, First Infantry Division from 1943 – 1945. He served as an artilleryman. He landed on Normandy in June of 1944, and he saw action in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. On December 4, 1945, he was honorably discharged at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. After his discharge, he received notice that he had been promoted to Corporal.
Tucker was also a minister for fifty-seven years. According to find a grave, he “was a Baptist Minister at North Morton in Scott County, McDonald & New Zion in Leake County, Pleasant Ridge in Piketon, Enon, Laurel Hill, Center Hill, Bond, New Pleasantdale, White Oak & Oak Grove in Neshoba County, Emmanuel in Marian County, Mars Hill in Winston County, Mt Carmel & Goodwater in Smith County, & New Ireland in Newton County. He also served as Minister for Rock Of Ages & Magnolia Prison Ministries.”
He passed away in Carthage, Mississippi on November 16, 2013. Upon his death, he had five sons, twenty-six grandchildren, thirty-eight great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren.
Extent
.25 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The collection is divided into three series:
Series I: Personal and Biographical Material
Series II: First U.S. Infantry Division Material
Series III: Memorabilia
The material is arranged into three series which are personal and biographical material, first U.S. Infantry Division material, and memorabilia. Each series is arranged in chronological order.
Series I begins with Elton T. Tucker’s orders to report for induction and a pay record. Then two photographs of Tucker in uniform. Following the photographs are material on the good conduct and bronze star medals. After this is his honorable discharge papers and instructions from the local selective service board. Ending the series is material on Tucker speaking to a group of eighth graders.
Series II consists of extract regarding the fifth field artillery battalion. Then history of the first U.S. infantry division and the fifth field artillery battalion. Following the history of these two papers is a booklet on the story of the first infantry division. Then there is a memo regarding membership in the “First Infantry Division Memorial Association.” To end this series is the first division on the air with AEF and a copy of a newspaper article.
Series III starts out with an Easter program and a miniature booklet of games and puzzles for service men. Following the program and the booklet is a safe conduct pass for German Soldiers. Then there are two swastikas, one paper and one cloth. Ending series is a war bond advertisement, postage stamps, and a small shaving mirror.
Provenance
Rev. Elton C. Tucker
Sources
• Case file
• Contents of collection
Photograph Log
M530-2 A partial body shot of PFC Elton C. Tucker in uniform. 3 x 3 ¾ B&W circa 1943 (Box 1, Folder 3)
- Advertising. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Baptists. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Clergy. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.). Subject Source: TGM II, Genre and physical characteristic terms
- Financial documents. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Memorabilia. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Military decorations. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Military discharge. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Nazis. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Records (Documents). Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Rev. Elton Cartis Tucker Papers
- Author
- Collection processed and finding aid written by Shawna Guidry
- Date
- November 15, 2018
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
