World War II Honoree

Richard W. Durkee

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Elmira, New York

Honored By

D. Branigan

Relationship

Historian

HE WAS AN ARMY PARATROOPER WITH THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE 'LOST BATTALION', 551ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY BATTALION, WHICH LOST 80 PERCENT OF ITS 643 TROOP MEMBERS IN BELGIUM'S ARDENNES FOREST IN JANUARY 1945. HE ALSO LED HIS PLATOON IN AN ASSAULT IN ORDER TO SEIZE A BELGIAN TOWN, WHICH WAS CAPTURED ON JANUARY 7, 1945. HE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART.