Falkner in Tippah County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Corporal Orvil Lucian Cotton

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 16, 2021

1. Corporal Orvil Lucian Cotton Marker

Inscription. Orvil Lucian Cotton (1896~1992), born in Falkner, Mississippi, served in World War I as a member of the 105th Field Signal Battalion. Cotton was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on the night of November 27, 1918, during a battle to take control of the Hindenburg Line. Though heavily gassed and under constant shell fire, Cpl. Cotton single handedly maintained the communication line between the 117th and 188th Infantry Regiments.

Erected 2011 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients, and the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 27, 1918.

Location. 34° 50.518′ N, 88° 56.043′ W. Marker is in Falkner, Mississippi, in Tippah County. It is at the intersection of County Highway 264 and Ruckersville Road (County Highway 200), on the right when traveling north on County Highway 264. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Falkner MS 38629,

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Regionally, this marker is in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Town of Falkner (within shouting distance of this marker); Maple Hill (approx. 7.6 miles away); William Clark Falkner (approx. 7.7 miles away); Tippah County Confederate Memorial (approx. 7.7 miles away); Tippah County (approx. 7.8 miles away); Criswell Cemetery (approx. 11.2 miles away); Macedonia Baptist Church (approx. 11.7 miles away); Blue Mountain College (approx. 12.8 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Nathan Bedford Forrest Highway (was approx. 7.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Additional commentary.
1.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 16, 2021

2. Corporal Orvil Lucian Cotton Marker

A mistake in the date shown on the marker.
The date listed on the marker for the action in which Corporal Cotten was awarded his Distinguished Service Cross seems to be incorrect. The marker states the action took place on November 27, 1918, however information online states that the U.S. Army captured the Hindenburg Line on September 29, 1918. Also, the armistice which ended hostilities in World War One went into effect on November 11, 1918, so there should have been no combat taking place by November 27 of that year. It appears that an incorrect month was entered onto the marker. A more likely date for Corporal Cotten's actions would seem to have been on September 27, 1918.

— Submitted November 20, 2025, by Nicolas Rausch of Horn Lake, Mississippi.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 16, 2021

3. Corporal Orvil Lucian Cotton Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.