World War II Honoree

Forrest Wesley Overdiek

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ida Grove, Iowa

Honored By

Ida Grove American Legion

U.S. ARMY 34TH MEDICAL DIVISION FROM 109TH MEDICAL BATTALION, COMPANY A. ENTERED FEDERAL SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 10, 1941 TO CAMP CLAIBORNE. OVERSEAS, INVASION OF NORTH AFRICA 1942, TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN 1943, BATTLES OF FONDAUK, HILL 609, IN ITALIAN CAMPAIGN CROSSING OF VOLTURNO, BATTLES FOR CASSINO, ANZIO BEACHHEAD, ROME 1944, LEGHORN, ADVANCE TO ARNO RIVER, BATTLE OF GOTHIC LINE. RETURN TO U.S. BY PLANE ON FEBRUARY 21, 1945. RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART AND BRONZE MEDAL FOR HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT FEBRUARY 10, 1944 AT CASSINO, ITALY. DURING AN ATTACK ON CASSINO, HIS AMBULANCE WAS LOADED WITH WOUNDED SERVICEMEN WHEN THE ENEMY LAID DOWN AN INTENSE BARRAGE ON THE ROAD OF HIS AMBULANCE. KNOWING HE HAD TO GET THESE WOUNDED MEN HELP, HE DROVE HIS AMBULANCE THROUGH THE SHELLING AND SUCCEEDED GETTING HIS PATIENTS TO AN AID STATION. DISCHARGED IN JUNE 1945.