World War II Honoree

Billie Monroe Wascom

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mt. Hermon, Louisiana

Honored By

Billy N. Douglas

Relationship

Grandson

SERGEANT BILL WASCOM WAS WITH THE 391ST ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY ATTACHED TO THE THIRD ARMORED DIVISION 'SPEARHEADING'. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. DESSAU, GERMANY AND THE ELBE RIVER, 3RD ARMORED DIVISION TEXANS, APRIL 21 WAS PROPER FOR THE ENTRY INTO DESSAU, IT WAS SAN JACINTO DAY! TASK FORCE WELBORN ATTACKED FROM THE SOUTH AND BOLES SPEARHEADED THROUGH ALTEN TO ENTER THE CITY. HOGAN TOOK2 TOWNS, ENCOUNTERING ROAD BLOCKS, SMALL ARMS, MORTAR AND ARTILLERY FIRE. RICHARDSON, ANOTHER TEXAS TANKER, DROVE INTO JESSNITZ. RESISTANCE STIFFENED IN DESSAU ON THE 22ND OF APRIL, WITH SHELLFIRE AND SMALL ARMS THE PRINCIPAL OPPOSITION, BUT ON THE FOLLOWING DAY ALL OF THE TOWN WAS CLEARED. SERGEANT BILL WASCOM, OF THE 391ST ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, WHO HAD FIRED HIS OUTFIT'S FIRST SHELL IN NORMANDY, SENT BATTALION'S 170,100TH 105MM PROJECTILE WHISTLING INTO GERMAN LINES. THE CAMPAIGN WAS OVER.