World War II Honoree

Daniel Stafford 'Dan' Bassett, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

DRAFTED INTO MILITARY SERVICE AFTER THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AS A MARKSMANSHIP INSTRUCTOR. SHIPPED OUT TO THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER IN 1944 AND JOINED THE 507TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 82ND AIRBORNE 'ALL AMERICAN' DIVISION SHORTLY AFTER THE D-DAY INVASION OF NORMANDY, FRANCE. PARTICIPATED AS A PARATROOPER IN THE NORMANDY, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. RETURNED TO ENGLAND ON JULY 13, 1944 WITH HIS REGIMENT WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ATTACHED TO THE 17TH AIRBORNE 'GOLDEN TALON' DIVISION. LANDED IN FRANCE ON DECEMBER 24, 1944, CROSSED INTO BELGIUM THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND RETURNED TO FRANCE ON FEBRUARY 11, 1945. ASSAULTED WESEL, GERMANY ON MARCH 24, 1945. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PARACHUTIST BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD AND 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.