World War II Honoree

Elzie F. Cooper

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lansing, Michigan

Honored By

Constance Louise Cooper

Relationship

Niece

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE APRIL 14, 1941 IN KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN. ASSIGNED AND TRAINED AS A RIFLEMAN (745) IN THE 1ST BATTALION, 34TH REGIMENT, 24TH VICTORY DIVISION. THE 24TH DIVISION WAS ON OAHU AT SCHOFIELD BARRACKS WHEN THE JAPANESE BOMBED PEARL HARBOR DECEMBER 7, 1941 AND SUFFERED MINOR CASUALTIES. CHARGED WITH THE DEFENSE OF NORTHERN OAHU, IT BUILT AN ELABORATE SYSTEM OF COASTAL DEFENSES. IN MAY OF 1943, IT WAS ALERTED FOR MOVEMENT TO OVERSEAS DUTY. THE DIVISION ARRIVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS AT CAMP CAVES NEAR ROCKHAMPTON, AUSTRALIA. AFTER A PERIOD OF INTENSIVE TRAINING IT LANDED ON DUTCH NEW GUINEA APRIL 22, 1944 AND FOUGHT THE JAPANESE IN MANY ATTACKS AND COUNTER-ATTACKS IN TORRENTIAL RAINS ON MUDDY TERRAIN. NEXT BATTLE WAS A LANDING ON LEYTE, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS OCTOBER 20, 1944, FOLLOWED BY A LANDING ON CORREGIDOR FEBRUARY 16, 1945 AND THEN ON MINDANAO APRIL 17, 1945. THE 24TH DIVISION WAS ENGAGED IN BATTLE UNTIL THE SURRENDER OF JAPAN. THE DIVISION LEFT MINDANAO OCTOBER 15, 1945 FOR OCCUPATION DUTIES IN JAPAN. HE WAS AWARDED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON WITH THREE BRONZE BATTLES STARS, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS, FIVE OVERSEAS SERVICE STRIPES, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL. HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE ON JANUARY 16, 1946 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.