Tarter, Melroe

Melroe Tarter (right) and his son Glen.

Rutherford County Historical Society

Quick Facts

Significance:

Private - 2nd U.S. Infantry, Company I / Superintendent of Stones River National Cemetery & National Military Park

Place of Birth:

Somerset, Kentucky

Date of Birth:

February 14, 1881

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

October 17, 1948

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Melroe Tarter enlisted as a private in Company I, 2nd United States Infantry on February 22, 1899. He may have had time to join the regiment as it finished its service in Cuba during the Spanish American War then deployed with his unit to the Philippines where they fought in more than 25 engagements. 

Tarter's military service ended on February 21, 1902. His service to our nation continued when he became the War Department's Superintendent of Stones River National Cemetery in 1924. His role expanded to include managing Stones River National Military Park following its establishment on March 3, 1927. When the National Park Service assumed responsibility for the park and national cemetery in 1933, Tarter stayed on and continued his service until his retirement in 1942.

When Melroe Tarter passed away in 1947, he was interred in grave H-6304 of the hallowed ground he cared for over the course nearly two decades. His wife is buried nearby and his son, Glen, who served in the United States Navy during World War II is interred in grave P-6336.