World War II Honoree

Victor Francis Zele

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cleveland, Ohio

Honored By

Janice D. Zele Konte

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED ON DECEMBER 21, 1943. ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE U.S. ARMY ON JANUARY 11, 1944 AT FORT HAYES, OHIO. IN JULY 1944, HE WAS SHIPPED OUT TO SCOTLAND AND THEN PARTICIPATED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 66TH ARMORED REGIMENT. HE SERVED IN NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES AND CENTRAL EUROPE. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE DROVE AN ARMORED HALF TRACK IN COMBAT, CARRYING AN AVERAGE OF 7 MEN INTO BATTLE. HE MANNED THE .50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN MOUNTED ON THE HALF TRACK AT VARIOUS TIMES WHEN CREW WAS ABSENT. HE ALSO MADE MINOR REPAIRS TO THE TRACK. HE WAS DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 30, 1945 AS A TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE.