World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Wayne W. Bayless, Jr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Claremore, Oklahoma
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
INDUCTED INTO MILITARY SERVICE IN 1943. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 299TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE) AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. HIS UNIT LANDED IN NORMANDY, FRANCE ON JUNE 6, 1944 (D-DAY) AND WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM DURING THE ASSAULT. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD AND SILVER SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH 'GERMANY' CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. RECALLED TO U.S. ARMY SERVICE AFTER THE WAR AND SERVED AS A SECOND LIEUTENANT UNTIL HONORABLY DISCHARGED AGAIN.