World War II Honoree

Everett Arthur Wenger

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oswego, Indiana

Honored By

James W. Wenger

Relationship

Son

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY APRIL 17, 1941 AT AGE 25. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO ENGLAND ON THE QUEEN MARY AS A MORTAR SPECIALIST WITH COMPANY D IN THE 330TH INFANTRY OF THE 83RD DIVISION. HE LANDED ON OMAHA BEACH, FRANCE ON JUNE 21, 1944 (D-DAY PLUS 15). FIRST ATTACK WAS LAUNCHED JULY 4, 1944 SOUTHWEST OF CARENTAN, FRANCE. HE BATTLED THROUGH FRANCE, LUXEMBOURG AND BELGIUM. EARNED SEVERAL BATTLEFIELD PROMOTIONS LEADING TO TECHNICAL SERGEANT. HE ENTERED GERMANY IN DECEMBER 1944, MOVING UNKNOWINGLY THROUGH THE SIEGFRIED LINE AND LAUNCHED INTO THE BATTLE FOR THE ROER RIVER IN THE HUERTGEN FOREST. BATTLED IN THE BLACK FOREST CAMPAIGN IN THE ARDENNES STARTING IN DECEMBER 1944 WHERE HE WAS WOUNDED TWICE BY MORTAR FIRE IN JANUARY 1945. HE WAS HOSPITALIZED IN LUXEMBOURG FOR 3 MONTHS. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART AND 3 BRONZE CAMPAIGN STARS. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON APRIL 17, 1946.