World War II Honoree

Murrel E. Whidden

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tampa, Florida

Honored By

George R. Thomas

Relationship

Son-in-law

SERVED WITH DISTINCTION WITH THE 231ST ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY SEARCHLIGHT BATTALION. SAW COMBAT IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OR OPERATION STARTING WITH THE LANDING AT NORMANDY, UTAH BEACH. AFTER ST. MERE EGLISE, PROCEEDED TO LANAUDIERE AND LEON. DURING THIS TIME THE BATTALION ENGAGED AND SHOT DOWN 76 GERMAN AIRCRAFT. IT PROCEEDED AFTER THE BREAKOUT TO MORTAIN AND CONTINUED INTO BELGIUM. WHILE MOVING EQUIPMENT UP TO DINANT THE CONVOY WAS ATTACKED BY A GERMAN TANK FORCE AND WERE BACKED UP; MOVED THE GERMANS BACK (DECEMBER 24-25, 1944) IN THE ARDENNES FOREST. DURING THE BATTLE OF THE ARDENNES, THE UNIT SAW MUCH ACTION ALONG THE MARCHE-BASTOGNE HIGHWAY AND EVENTUALLY CROSSED THE ROER RIVER. AFTER THE GERMAN COLLAPSE, WAS EVENTUALLY TRANSFERRED TO LUXEMBOURG. AFTER THE FINAL PUSH ACROSS THE RHINE RIVER, THE UNIT USED 40MM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS TO ENGAGE GERMAN TANKS AND ENDED ITS PUSH AT HEIDELBERG AT WAR'S END.