NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hero Honored​

Memphis hero posthumously awarded the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment Bronze de Fleury Medal

 

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 8, 2025 – Today, on the 100th Anniversary of Mr. Tom Lee’s heroism, saving 32-people from the waters of the Mississippi River after witnessing the steamboat M.E. Norman sinking, he was posthumously awarded the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment’s Bronze de Fleury Medal.

 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian D. Sawser presented the posthumous award to two of Mr. Lee’s descendants—great-grandson Mr. Jonny Williams and great-great-nephew Mr. Terry Watts. The medal presentation took place at the Tom Lee 100 Anniversary Ceremony hosted by the Engineers’ Club of Memphis and held at Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division Administrative Building located in downtown Memphis.  

 

During the presentation Col. Sawser said, “Mr. Tom Lee’s heroism and selflessness on May 8th,1925 exemplify the types of actions this medal was meant to honor. His actions on that day, no doubt, meet the highest ideals of the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment, making him well-deserving of this honor.” Col. Sawser further remarked, “The de Fleury medal recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism, competence, and dedication to the Engineer Regiment. It serves as a testament to the recipient’s positive impact on the Engineer Regiment and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”

 

The de fleury Medal is named for French engineer François-Louis Teissedre de Fleury who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The Continental Congress appointed de Fleury a captain of engineers, and he quickly proved himself through courage under fire. On October 1, 1779, de Fleury was praised for his valor by the men who penned the Declaration of Independence and who later signed the Constitution. For his intrepid behavior, the Continental Congress ordered that a medal be struck in his honor.

 

The citation for the Bronze de Fleury Medal presented posthumously to Mr. Tom Lee reads, “For exceptional bravery in the face of extreme danger. On May 8, 1925, Mr. Tom Lee demonstrated extraordinary heroism while witnessing the tragic sinking of the Corps of Engineers vessel M.E. Norman. His selfless actions saved the lives of 32 individuals and exemplify the highest standard of bravery and reflect great credit upon himself and the ideals of the Engineer Regiment and the United States Army.”

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KENNETH WILLIAMS

Chief, Public Affairs Office

Memphis District

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers​

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PASSING OF OUR FRIEND

May 5, 2025, the Engineers’ Club, and the entire Memphis Engineer Community, lost our Friend, Colleague, Mentor, and Board Member Hugh Teaford PE.

 

During his 50-year engineering career, he served as Memphis Deputy City Engineer and as Associate Vice Chancellor of Safety Affairs of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.  He also ran his own firm, Teaford Engineering Associates for a number of years. He was instrumental in the design and construction of Big River Crossing, the pedestrian and cyclist pathway abutting the Harahan Mississippi River Bridge, and helped relocate Frisco 1351, a historic steam locomotive, from Memphis to Collierville, where it stands today.

 

An accomplished sailor, pilot, and model railroader, Hugh had a positive impact on everyone who knew him. Please join all of us at the Engineer’s Club of Memphis in extending our deepest condolences to his wife of 56-years, Mitzi, his son Aaron and Daughter Mandy, and the entire Teaford family.  We will all miss him.

 

Visitation will be between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM at the Memorial Park Fireside Chapel, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN followed by a Funeral Service at 2:00 PM.

 

More details are available at: https://www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com/obituaries/edward-teaford-2/obituary

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