World War II Honoree

James Calvin Gardner, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Walstonburg, North Carolina

Honored By

Ruth Owens Gardner

Relationship

Wife

SERIAL NUMBER 34677867. PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, 905TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION. RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGN, MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE STARS; GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AR 600-68; VICTORY MEDAL; PURPLE HEART GO 27 HEADQUARTERS INFANTRY 2/7/45. LEFT 8/14/43 FOR FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA. BASIC IN MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA. LEFT JUNE 1944 FOR LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND SHIPPING TRUCKS OVERSEAS. LATER TO SOUTH HAMPTON ENGLAND. TRANSFERRED FROM 847TH DIVISION TO 90TH DIVISION DECEMBER 1944. LATER TO LUXEMBOURG, BELGIUM AND GERMANY. GUARD DUTY IN MERKERS, GERMANY AT THE SALT MINES - 100 TONS OF GOLD AND VALUABLES. TRANSFERRED TO 84TH DIVISION. DISCHARGED AND HOME; RETURNED TO NEW YORK VIA CARRIER USS WASP, DAMAGED IN ATLANTIC BY A HURRICANE. LATER RETURNED TO FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA. SERVED IN ENGLAND, BELGIUM, FRANCE, RHINELAND, CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND GERMANY.