World War II Honoree

Lester Bass

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Wilson, North Carolina

Honored By

Joseph A. Bligh

Relationship

Buddy

RIFLEMAN, COMPANY C, 59TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION, 13TH ARMORED 'BLACK CAT' DIVISION, IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS FROM JANUARY 1945 TO JULY 1945. PARTICIPATED IN THE 1ST ARMY'S RHINELAND CAMPAIGN (BATTLE OF THE RUHR POCKET) AND THE 3RD ARMY'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN (BAVARIA TO AUSTRIA). RECEIVED BASIC TRAINING AT FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA FROM JULY 1944 TO NOVEMBER 1944 ON 155MM 'LONG TOM' GUNS. THE SURRENDER OF JAPAN IN AUGUST 1945 CANCELLED THE DIVISION'S MARCH 1946 INVASION OF JAPAN (HONSHU) AND SHORTENED HIS ARMY SERVICE.