World War II Honoree

Manuel Freeman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Dora, Missouri

Honored By

Tom Freeman

Relationship

Son

SERVED IN COMPANY C, 70TH TANK BATTALION. DROVE MEDIUM AND LIGHT TANKS TO DESTROY ENEMY PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT. PERFORMED DUTY 2 YEARS IN EUROPE. AWARDED 6 BRONZE STARS FOR CAMPAIGNS IN SICILY, NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, CENTRAL EUROPE, AND RHINELAND. BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE ENEMY OF THE U.S. IN FRANCE, BELGIUM AND GERMANY, JUNE 6TH UNTIL OCTOBER 20, 1944. RENDERED OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS A TANK DRIVER DURING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF COMBAT. LANDED ON AN INVASION BEACH IN NORMANDY ON D-DAY. LATER PARTICIPATED IN THE CAMPAIGN WHICH CULMINATED IN THE FALL OF CHERBOURG, FRANCE. DURING THE FIERCE FIGHTING AMONG THE HEDGEROWS AND INUNDATED AREAS NEAR PERIERS, DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY A DISPLAY OF COURAGE AND AGGRESSIVE ACTION. SERVED WITH THE TROOPS WHO HELPED SPEARHEAD THE BREAK THROUGH ALONG THE ST. LO MARIGNY FRONT. FIRST AMERICAN TROOPS TO ENTER PARIS, PURSUED THE ENEMY ACROSS FRANCE AND BELGIUM, AND FOUGHT IN SEVERAL ENGAGEMENTS AGAINST FORMIDABLE FORTIFICATIONS ON THE SIEGFRIED LINE IN GERMANY. OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY ARE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MILITARY SERVICE. NO TIME LOST UNDER AW 107. LAPEL BUTTON ISSUED, ENTITLED TO WEAR EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD AND 6 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS.