World War II Honoree

Verlon Cornett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Blackey, Kentucky

Honored By

Mildred C. Strunk

Relationship

Sister

TECHNICAL SERGEANT. ENTERED SERVICE ON OCTOBER 21, 1941. AFTER COMPLETING BASIC TRAINING, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ICELAND ON MARCH 3, 1942. AS A MEMBER OF HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 409TH INFANTRY, HE EXCELLED IN RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP. PARTICIPATED IN CAMPAIGNS IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE AND ARDENNES. ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1944 HE LED A PATROL INTO THE TOWN OF BERDORF, LUXEMBOURG (DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE) TO MAKE A RECONNAISSANCE OF MINES. UPON ENTERING THE TOWN, A SUDDEN BURST OF ENEMY FIRE WAS INFLICTED ON HIS UNIT AND HE WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. DESPITE THAT, HE LED HIS MEN TO COMPARATIVE SAFETY BEFORE AGREEING TO BE EVACUATED. HIS COURAGEOUS ACTIONS REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND THE ARMED FORCES. HE RECEIVED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 5 BRONZE STARS, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT RIBBON AND A PURPLE HEART. HONORABLY DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 11, 1945 HAVING SERVED 3 YEARS, 10 M0NTHS AND 12 DAYS.