World War II Honoree

Charles W. Cox

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 18 MAY 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A RIFLEMAN (745) AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 26 JANUARY 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SAW COMBAT WITH COMPANY E, 11TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 5TH INFANTRY ‘RED DIAMOND’ DIVISION IN RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED IN ACTION ON 3 APRIL 1945 NEAR LICH, HESSEN, GERMANY. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION (GERMANY) MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON 20 APRIL 1946 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.