World War II Honoree

Ruben Raymond Hawkins

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Miami, Oklahoma

Honored By

Calista Hawkins

Relationship

Wife

ENLISTED IN THE U.S. ARMY AT AGE 17 IN MIAMI, OKLAHOMA. ENTERED AS MEMBER OF THE MILITARY POLICE DIVISION. TRAVELED TO AFRICA BY SHIP TO TRANSFER GERMAN WAR PRISONERS TO HASKELL, OKLAHOMA, WHERE THERE WAS A POW CAMP. LATER TRANSFERRED IN 1944 TO THE ENGINEERING COMPANY FOR THE REST OF SERVICE. SENT TO ENGLAND WHERE THEY WERE BUILDING BRIDGES TO TRANSPORT SERVICE EQUIPMENT. INJURED WHEN THEY WERE BOMBED BY THE GERMANS, ENDED UP WITH A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL IN HIS RIGHT KNEE. THEN TRANSFERRED TO TOPEKA, KANSAS TO A MILITARY HOSPITAL, WHERE HE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 11 MONTHS PRIOR TO HIS MEDICAL DISCHARGE.