World War II Honoree

Merritt E. Hitchings

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Norfolk, Virginia

Honored By

Merritt E. Hitchings

Relationship

Self

JOINED DECEMBER 1942. DISCHARGED OCTOBER 1945. JULY 1944, JOINED THE 4TH ARMORED DIVISION, 37TH TANK BATTALION, COMPANY B IN SOUTHERN FRANCE, DURING THE ST. LO BREAKTHROUGH. CAMPAIGNS: NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE. TANK INSIGNIA ENLISTED, SERGEANT FIRST CLASS, BADGE EXPERT, SUBMACHINE GUN, 30 CALIBER MACHINE GUN, TANK WEAPON 75MM. CITATIONS: PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, FRENCH FOURRAGERE WITH OLIVE BELGIAN AWARD, BRONZE GOOD CONDUCT KNOTS (2) EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 CAMPAIGN STARS, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, OCCUPATION MEDAL, GERMANY BAR AND LAPEL BUTTON ISSUE.