World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Bill Hart
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER AS AN 18 YEAR-OLD SOLDIER WITH THE 26TH SIGNAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. LANDED AT OMAHA BEACH IN NORMANDY, FRANCE WITH HIS UNIT ON JUNE 12, 1944 (D-DAY+6). SOON AFTER LANDING IN NORMANDY, HE WAS ATTACHED TO ANOTHER UNIT AND TASKED WITH RECOVERING THE BODIES OF FALLEN AMERICAN SOLDIERS. THAT TWO WEEK DUTY HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT ON HIM AND LEFT HIM WITH MEMORIES THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. TOOK PART IN SOME OF THE MAJOR BATTLES OF THE WAR AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT EVENTS INCLUDING THE LIBERATION OF PARIS, FRANCE, AND THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. SURVIVED THE CRASH OF HIS JEEP WHEN IT WENT OFF A CLIFF DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.