World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
James D. Bates
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Wadesboro, North Carolina
Honored By
Michael Sumrell
MEMBER OF C BATTERY, 456TH PARACHUTE FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION. PARACHUTED INTO SICILY ON 9 JULY 1943. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR FOR ACTIONS ON BIAZZA RIDGE, SICILY WHILE A CREW MEMBER OF A 75MM HOWITZER SECTION DEFENDING THE RIDGE AGAINST DETERMINED GERMAN PANZER COUNTER-ATTACKS. TROOPER ALSO JUMPED INTO NORMANDY ON 6 JUNE 1944 AS A CREW MEMBER OF A TWO GUN 75MM HOWITZER SECTION SENT TO SUPPORT 3RD BATTALION, 505TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT.