World War II Honoree

Francis M. Copsy

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Edgewood, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 28, 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LINEMAN (641). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON NOVEMBER 24, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 2ND INFANTRY REGIMENT, 5TH ‘RED DIAMOND’ INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON NOVEMBER 8, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA.