World War II Honoree

Elmer J. Morris

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ringling, Oklahoma

Honored By

Danny J. Morris

Relationship

Son

COMPLETED HIS BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AND ARTILLERY TRAINING AT CAMP YOUNG (DESERT TRAINING CENTER) INDIO, CALIFORNIA. DEPLOYED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS, ASSIGNED TO THE 546TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY BATTALION, ATTACHED TO THE 35TH INFANTRY DIVISION, WHERE HE SERVED AS A COOK. LATER REASSIGNED AS AN INFANTRYMAN TO COMPANY L, 3RD BATTALION, 137TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 35TH INFANTRY DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLES OF NORTHERN FRANCE, ST. LO, NANCY, SIEGFRIED LINE AND THE ARDENNES-ALSACE CAMPAIGN. SEVERELY WOUNDED DECEMBER 24, 1944 DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, CAPTURED BY THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES AND HELD CAPTIVE AS A PRISONER OF WAR FOR 35 DAYS. HE RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT BY GERMAN DOCTORS FOR HIS WOUNDS AND TURNED OVER TO ALLIED FORCES ON A PRISONER EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN FEBRUARY OF 1945. HE WAS EVENTUALLY TRANSFERRED TO THE O’ RILEY GENERAL HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: BRONZE STAR (COMBAT HEROISM), PURPLE HEART WITH 3 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO RECEIVED 6 DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATIONS, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE AND THE M1 MARKSMAN BADGE WITH RIFLE BAR. ENTERED THE SERVICE JANUARY 7, 1943 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED APRIL 2, 1945.