World War II Honoree

Franklin A. Ayers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Macon, Missouri

Honored By

Charles Mike Ayers

Relationship

Son

JOINED THE ARMY ON JULY 10, 1941. AFTER BASIC TRAINING AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI PARTICIPATED IN THE LOUISIANA MANEUVERS AND CAROLINA MANEUVERS. ATTACHED TO THE 97TH INFANTRY DIVISION, 97TH RECONNAISSANCE TROOP (MECHANIZED). DEPARTED U.S. ON FEBRUARY 19, 1945. ARRIVED AT LE HAVRE, FRANCE ON MARCH 2, 1945 AND MOVED TO CAMP LUCKY STRIKE. BY MARCH 28, 1945, THE 97TH RECONNAISSANCE TROOP CROSSED THE GERMAN BORDER NEAR AACHEN AND TOOK UP A DEFENSIVE POSITION ALONG THE RHINE RIVER. ENTERED COMBAT IN THE RUHR POCKET ON APRIL 3, 1945. THE 97TH RECONNAISSANCE TROOP CROSSED THE SIEG RIVER ON APRIL 7, 1945 AND FOUGHT HAND TO HAND IN THE CITY OF SIEBURG. CAPTURED SOLINGEN ON APRIL 17, 1945 AGAINST DIFFICULT TERRAIN AND HEAVY RESISTANCE. THE 97TH RECONNAISSANCE TROOP MOVED TO PROTECT THE LEFT FLANK OF PATTON'S 3RD ARMY ON ITS SOUTHERN DRIVE ACROSS GERMANY. THEY TOOK CHEB, CZECHOSLOVAKIA APRIL 25, 1945 AND WERE AT KONSTANTINOVY LAZNE WHEN THE CEASE FIRE ORDER CAME ON MAY 7, 1945. WITH OCCUPATIONAL DUTIES COMPLETE ON JUNE 16, 1945 THE 97TH RECONNAISSANCE TROOP RE-DEPLOYED TO THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PERFORMED OCCUPATIONAL DUTIES IN THE YOKOHAMA, JAPAN AREA FROM SEPTEMBER 23, 1945 TO NOVEMBER 29, 1945 AND WAS ATTACHED TO THE AMERICAL 23RD INFANTRY DIVISION. AWARDS INCLUDE: THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 3 BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ARMY OCCUPATIONAL MEDAL WITH GERMANY BAR AND JAPAN BAR, EXPERT SHOOTING BADGE WITH RIFLE ATTACHMENT. RETURNED TO THE U.S. DECEMBER 9, 1945. HONORABLE DISCHARGE AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON DECEMBER 19, 1945.