World War II Honoree

Lewis R. Birkes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Vinita, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SAILED OVERSEAS FROM NEW YORK ON JANUARY 18, 1944 AND ARRIVED IN ENGLAND JANUARY 29, 1944. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH BATTERY C, 20TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, 4TH INFANTRY 'IVY' DIVISION. LANDED IN FRANCE ON D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944 AND PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE) AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (GERMANY). HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT.