World War II Honoree

Willie Even Gooch

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Kentucky

Honored By

Sylvia Watkins Gooch

Relationship

Wife

TECHNICAL SERGEANT. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY INVASION. SERVED IN THE 80TH INFANTRY, 3RD ARMY UNDER GENERAL PATTON DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. RECEIVED THE SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR WITH TWO OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATRE RIBBON WITH BRONZE STARS. WOUNDED AND RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART. INDUCTED JULY 15, 1942 AND DISCHARGED IN JULY 1945.