World War II Honoree

Edward Joel Foster

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Jay, Florida

Honored By

Barbara Louise Foster Nowling

Relationship

Sister

SERVICE NUMBER 34838218. INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY ON MAY 5, 1944 AT CAMP BLANDING, GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FLORIDA. BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP HOOD, FORT BLISS, TEXAS, BATTERY D. EXCELLED IN MARKSMANSHIP AND RECEIVED A MEDAL. SERVED IN THE 71ST INFANTRY DIVISION, 7TH REGIMENT, 57TH BATTALION; INFANTRY, COMPANY M, 4TH BATTALION. FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, UNDER GENERAL PATTON, IN THE 3RD ARMY REPLACEMENT REGIMENT, COMPANY C, 26TH INFANTRY DIVISION. HE WAS LIBERATING U.S. PRISONERS OF WAR WHEN HE WAS SHOT IN THE KNEE AND ANKLE. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER AND REMAINED A PRISONER OF WAR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL LIBERATED BY U.S. TROOPS. BY THEN HE HAD GANGRENE IN THE WOUNDS IN HIS LEG. HE WAS SHIPPED FIRST TO A MILITARY HOSPITAL IN FORT MCCLELLAN, GEORGIA, THEN TO THE MILITARY HOSPITAL AT PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. HE DIED OF HIS WOUNDS ON AUGUST 4, 1945. HIS PARENTS WERE PRESENTED WITH HIS PURPLE HEART ON AUGUST 29, 1945.