World War II Honoree

Ivan James Gannon

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cherokee, Oklahoma

Honored By

Jud Blevins

Relationship

Grandson

SERVED AS AN INFANTRYMAN IN COMPANY B, 1ST RANGER BATTALION AKA 'DARBY'S RANGERS', 45TH INFANTRY DIVISION. SERVED IN NORTH AFRICA AND SICILY. TWICE WOUNDED, ONCE IN MOROCCO AND THEN DURING THE AMPHIBIOUS LANDING AT SICILY ON JULY 10, 1943. TWICE RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART. DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY IN APRIL 1944, AND SERVED THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR AS A FIREMAN AT THE POW CAMP IN ALVA, OKLAHOMA.