Three Mormon Battalion veterans buried at Lehi City Cemetery received permanent grave markers Oct. 17 as part of a new preservation effort led by the Lehi Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers.

The Lehi chapter, in partnership with the Mormon Battalion Association, held a commemorative service honoring Private Israel Evans, Private Thomas Karren and Private William Sidney Smith Willes, according to the Lehi Free Press. All three served in the infantry unit during the Mexican-American War of 1846–1848. Descendants of the veterans attended the ceremony and placed cast-metal medallions at the graves.

The initiative focuses on identifying exact gravesites of Battalion veterans across Utah County and installing custom commemorative medallions at each one. The Lehi chapter voted to lead the effort locally after chapter leadership emphasized preserving the physical landmarks tied to early pioneers.

Brent Eggleston, a representative of the Lehi chapter, said the markers serve a dual purpose. "The medallions will serve as both an educational resource for cemetery visitors and a lasting tribute for descendants," Eggleston said, according to the Lehi Free Press.

Each of the three soldiers left a distinct mark on the region. Evans, a member of Company B, was part of the small group of Battalion veterans working at Sutter's Mill when gold was discovered in California in 1848. Willes, also in Company B, was present at the same gold discovery and later served as a leader, builder and lawman in Lehi. Karren, who served in Company E, became a prominent early settler in Lehi and contributed to the community's civic and religious foundations.

The Mormon Battalion marched more than 2,000 miles to San Diego during the Mexican-American War. The Lehi Free Press reported the march began from Council Bluffs, Iowa; the American Fork Citizen placed the starting point at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Both accounts describe it as the longest infantry march in U.S. military history. After their service, many veterans settled in Lehi and helped build local infrastructure, mills and irrigation systems.

Elaine Feeny, a descendant of Israel Evans, attended the ceremony. She told the Lehi Free Press that Evans was her great-granduncle and that she came to support cousins who are direct descendants. She said reading about Evans' history taught her about her own family.

The Lehi Free Press described a quiet atmosphere as attendees walked through the cemetery to the gravesides. Historical accounts read during the service detailed the severe lack of water, ragged clothing and physical toll of the march.

A similar SUP ceremony took place in September at the American Fork Cemetery, where the Timpanogos Chapter honored three different Battalion soldiers. Dan Adams, SUP area vice president and national chairman of the Mormon Battalion Memorialization Project, oversees a three-year effort to honor Battalion soldiers buried across Utah, Idaho, Arizona and Nevada, the American Fork Citizen reported.

The Lehi chapter meets monthly. Additional medallion placements have not been publicly scheduled.