World War II Honoree

Nolan LaVern Powell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

New York

Honored By

Wilford C. Anderson

Relationship

Sergeant

PRIVATE IN THE 3RD PLATOON OF C COMPANY, 517TH PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM WHEN IT WAS ACTIVATED IN MARCH 1943. HE WAS FIRST IN COMBAT NEAR GROSSETO, ITALY IN JUNE 1944. FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION ON JUNE 18, HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. BY HIS COURAGEOUS ACTS, HE MADE POSSIBLE THE CAPTURE OF 19 GERMAN PRISONERS, PLUS THE KILLING AND WOUNDING OF 10 MORE. HE PARACHUTED INTO SOUTHERN FRANCE AND WAS IN CONTINUOUS COMBAT IN THE MARITIME ALPS FOR 90 DAYS. HE THEN WAS RUSHED FROM SOISSONS, FRANCE TO THE ARDENNES FOREST WHERE HIS UNIT ENCOUNTERED HEAVY GERMAN FIRE DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HE WAS WOUNDED BY A GERMAN SNIPER WHILE IN COMBAT AND WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART AND BRONZE STAR. HE ALSO RECEIVED SEVERAL CAMPAIGN RIBBONS, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PLUS THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. HE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL THOSE WITH WHOM HE SERVED.