City searches for relatives of fallen sailor
BOLIVAR, TN (WMC) - Although we are a little over a month from the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a Mid-South mayor and city needs help locating a family.
The City of Bolivar is searching for the relatives and family members of a fallen service member who lost his life during the attack of Pearl Harbor.
Seaman Second Class Luther Elvin Cisco was the first WWII casualty for Madison County, Tennessee. However, he is buried at Cearley Cemetery in Hardeman County, just across the line from Madison County. Cisco was one of the 2,335 men killed during the attack that lasted just under two hours.
The City of Bolivar will be holding a memorial for the sailor on December 7 at 10 a.m., the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the anniversary of Cisco's death. The memorial will be complete with a color guard and playing of TAPS.
He was 20 years old when he died.
Cisco was born and raised in Medon, Tennessee, and was a member of the Mercer Baptist Church.
He entered the U.S. Navy on January 9, 1940 and died the following year at Pearl Harbor.
According to his obituary, his survivors at the time of his death included his mother Elizabeth Cisco of Mercer, brothers Neal Cisco of Mercer, Albert Cisco of Beech Bluff, Willie Cisco of Malesus, Jamie Cisco of Jackson, and Otha Cisco of Westover.
He has four sisters: Bessie Mullins of Jackson, Minnie Arnold of Medon, Gertrude Forrester of Jackson, and Annie B. King of Bolivar.
Bolivar Mayor Barrett Stevens and the organizers of the event would like to contact any relatives of Cisco and have them present at the ceremony honoring the fallen sailor.
"We want them to be a part of this special time and we want to recognize and honor them also," Stevens said. "Pearl Harbor changed America's course in the war, and it devastated many lives. Sometimes we forget we have those heroes who have given their all for this country and we want these family members to know his sacrifice is not forgotten. He is not forgotten."
If you are a relative of the fallen servicemember, you are asked to contact Shelia Dillenger, City Administrator for Bolivar, at 731-658-2020
Cearley Cemetery is located on the east side of Highway 18 just about 19 miles north of Bolivar, near the town of Toone. Everyone is invited to attend the memorial honoring this fallen sailor.
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