Jesse Lloyd Colley

Jesse Lloyd Colley, also known as Jess Colley, was born on February 28, 1917 in Mesa, Franklin County, Washington to Curtis Leroy Colley and Olivia Ragsdale Colley. His father was a farmer, and the family relocated to Kahlotus, where the younger Colley graduated from high school in 1935.  He attended Washington State College (WSC) from 1935 through 1937 as a Business Administration major, but left school to work as a farmer in Connell, Washington. He enlisted in the United States Army on April 24, 1942 as a Private, and he was assigned to the 27th Infantry Regiment. Colley was sent to Gudalcanal and served in the 27th's offensive beginning on January 10, 1943. Colley was killed in action on January 12, 1943 during the 27th Infantry's attack on what would become known as Mitchell Ridge. He is buried in City View Cemetery in Pasco, Washington.