World War II Honoree

Albert Pena, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

El Paso, Texas

Honored By

Norma, Jaime, Robert, Laura, Carlos, Norma, Sylvia & Rosa

Relationship

Wife, Children & Grandchildren

AFTER JUMP SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING, ASSIGNED TO THE 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION. IN THE EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN, JUMPED AND FOUGHT IN HOLLAND, ARDENNES, BASTOGNE, THE RUHR POCKET AND BERCHTESGADEN. AFTER THE VICTORY IN EUROPE, REASSIGNED TO THE 11TH AIRBORNE PACIFIC ARTILLERY DIVISION AGAINST THE JAPANESE IMPERIAL ARMY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR. AFTER THE VICTORY IN JAPAN, HE RETURNED TO FORT BENNING AS A JUMP INSTRUCTOR; MOVED TO FORT LEWIS AS AN OPERATIONS OFFICER AND THEN TO FORT CAMPBELL AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT. EARNED A BRONZE STAR, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL RIBBON, PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, THE EUROPEAN THEATER RIBBON, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE RIBBON AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION RIBBON, JAPAN OCCUPATION MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.