World War II Honoree

Lester Stanley Wilcox

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ida Grove, Iowa

Honored By

Ida Grove American Legion

ENLISTED MARCH 27, 1942. SERVED WITH THE 4TH ARMORED DIVISION, 53RD ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION. OVERSEAS TO EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND. AWARDED A SILVER STAR IN GERMANY FOR CARRYING A MESSAGE ACROSS A 600 YARD OPEN CLEARING UNDER FIRE FROM SMALL ARMS, MACHINE GUNS AND 20MM GUNS. MAY 17, 1945 HE WAS IN A HOSPITAL IN FRANCE, RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR HIS 5TH WOUND MARCH 14, 1945. WOUNDED, LEFT SHOULDER NOVEMBER 3, 1944, SHRAPNEL LEFT ARM DECEMBER 24, 1944. WOUNDED LEFT ARM AND LEFT LEG MARCH 14, 1945. DISLOCATED SHOULDER OCTOBER 6, 1944. MEDALS: AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, SILVER STAR, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 5 BATTLE STARS, 3 OVERSEAS BARS, 1 SERVICE STRIPE, PURPLE HEART OCTOBER 6, 1944; 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS DECEMBER 1944 AND MARCH 14, 1945. DISCHARGED OCTOBER 29, 1945.