Today’s topic evolved from a trip to Susanville Supermarket last month. I thought I could manage a quick trip in and out and go on my merry way. Lo and behold, while trying to make my get away, I got lassoed. Anna Stewart who needed some information about Native American Veteran Thomas Tucker, that they want to feature in their newspaper ad, scheduled for July 7.  I, of course, obliged.

Thomas Tucker was the first casualty from Susanville in World War I. Numerous records has him listed as the first Lassen County resident, but that distinction belongs to Westwood resident Clyde McKea who died almost two months earlier than Tucker.

In 1940, the United States was already gearing up to enter World War II, and patriotic fever was on the rise. While a bronze plaque had been placed at the head of Main Street listing the names of the Lassen County men who sacrificed their lives in World War I, the local American Legion Post, named in honor, of Thomas Tucker, wanted to do a living memorial.

As part of a beautification project around the Lassen County Courthouse Square, the legion planted 17 American sycamore trees, one each for every Lassen County man that perished in the war. It was their intention to place a plaque at the base of each tree with that service man’s name. Only two were placed—Thomas Tucker and William Davidson. In addition, it was their intention to plant sycamores throughout the town for every fallen veteran. Events changed rapidly, and the country focused on the war effort, and by the time the war ended, the original project, like so many other community projects, were forgotten.

Here is the list of names, but for reasons unknown, I missing one.

Harry Fitzhugh McKinsey

Clyde A. McKea

Howard Edward Waller

Frank Fleener Woodmansee

Irving R. Bullock

Thomas Tucker

George David Hatch

Thomas Jefferson Cary

Russell Ore Landis

George Roy Metcalf

Joe Carretto

Charles David McNamee

William W. Mankins

Howard S. Wilson

Guiseppe Ellena

Carl C. Bearup

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