World War II Honoree

James E. Wells

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cleveland, Ohio

Honored By

Kathleen Wells Connors

Relationship

Daughter

JAMES E. WELLS SERVED IN THE RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY OF THE 805TH TANK DESTROYER BATTALION OF THE U.S. ARMY. HE WAS A MEDIUM TANK GUNNER. HE SERVED IN THE ENTIRE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN: THE INVASION OF ITALY, CAPTURING NAPLES AND FOGGIA, LANDING AT ANZIO, TAKING ROME, CROSSING THE ARNO RIVER, THE UPHILL BATTLE FOR THE NORTHERN APENNINES, AND CAPTURING THE PO VALLEY. HE EARNED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS AND WAS DECORATED WITH 4 BRONZE STARS FOR HIS HEROIC ACTIONS. WHEN THE WAR IN EUROPE WAS OVER, THE 805TH RETURNED TO THE STATES TO WAIT FOR DEPLOYMENT TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC. THE SURRENDER OF JAPAN BROUGHT DEMOBILIZATION OF HIS BATTALION.