World War II Honoree

Lester Frank Henry, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Draper, North Carolina

Honored By

Gary C. Henry

Relationship

Cousin

INDUCTED AT FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA ON JULY 1, 1943. BASIC TRAINING, FORT MCCLELLAN, ALABAMA JULY 1943 TO NOVEMBER 1943. BEGAN TRAINING AS AVIATION CADET AT UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN DECEMBER 1943. TRANSFERRED TO 65TH DIVISION, 261ST REGIMENT, ANTI-TANK COMPANY IN APRIL 1944. DEPLOYED TO EUROPE WITH 65TH DIVISION ON JANUARY 8, 1945 AND SERVED UNTIL CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AND BRIEFLY IN THE OCCUPATION OF GERMANY. AWARDED BRONZE STAR FOR VALOR IN ACTION IN THE VICINITY OF STRUTH, GERMANY ON APRIL 7, 1945. WHILE MANNING HIS ANTI-TANK GUN IN A HIGHLY EXPOSED POSITION, HIS WITHERING AND ACCURATE FIRE IMPAIRED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GERMAN TANK ATTACK. AFTER DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY, HE SERVED IN THE ACTIVE RESERVES AND WAS COMMISSIONED 2ND LIEUTENANT INFANTRY ON OCTOBER 1, 1948.