World War II Honoree

Thomas C. Hightower

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Redding, California

Honored By

Alice Hightower & Darla Hoeft

Relationship

Wife & Daughter

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY INFANTRY, HEAVY MACHINE GUNNER. MEMBER OF SEVEN MAN CREW ON A HEAVY MACHINE GUN IN COMBAT WITH THE ENEMY IN FRANCE, LUXEMBOURG, HOLLAND, BELGIUM AND GERMANY. LOADED, AIMED AND FIRED GUN TO SUPPORT ATTACKING UNITS AND TO PROVIDE DEFENSE AGAINST ENEMY AIRCRAFT, LIGHT ARMORED VEHICLES AND ENEMY COUNTER ATTACK. FIELD STRIPPED WEAPON TO REPLACE WORN OR DAMAGED PARTS AND TO REDUCE STOPPAGES. WENT ON PATROL INTO ENEMY TERRITORY TO OBTAIN INFORMATION AS TO TERRAIN FEATURES AND DISPOSITION AND STRENGTH OF ENEMY FORCES. TRAINED IN USE OF ALL HAND WEAPONS. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: WWII VICTORY MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, PURPLE HEART, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON WITH TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS, COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND SACRIFICE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND AWARDED OFFICIAL DIPLOMA FRANCE FOR THOSE WHO FOUGHT THERE FROM 1944 TO 1945. ENTERED SERVICE DECEMBER 8, 1942. HONORABLE DISCHARGE JANUARY 16, 1946.