World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Merle N. Stoops
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Marion County, Illinois
Honored By
Robert Medley Gatewood
PRIVATE WITH THE 32ND ARMORED REGIMENT, 3RD ARMORED DIVISION. ENTERED COMBAT ON JULY 9, 1944 AND WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON AUGUST 3, 1944 IN VICINITY OF CHERENCE LE HERON, MANCHE, FRANCE. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL POSTHUMOUSLY AND WAS OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. BURIED WITH MILITARY HONORS AT BRITTANY AMERICAN CEMETERY, ST. JAMES (MANCHE), FRANCE. HONORED ALSO AT THE WWII MEMORIAL IN FLORA, ILLINOIS.