World War II Honoree

James Calvin Cross

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Shreveport, Louisiana

Honored By

David Routon

Relationship

Great Nephew

ENLISTED IN 1940 UPON GRADUATION FROM LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND GRADUATED FROM OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL. SERVED AS PLATOON LEADER IN THE 145TH REGIMENT, 37TH INFANTRY DIVISION. SERVED IN WAR DEPARTMENT AS A SUPPLY OFFICER, THEREAFTER TRANSFERRED TO 12TH ARMY GROUP UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL OMAR BRADLEY. SERVED AS AN AIDE-DE-CAMP TO GENERAL BRADLEY, FOR WHICH HE WAS AWARDED THE LEGION OF MERIT, UNTIL THE END OF HOSTILITIES. UPON CONCLUSION OF THE WAR, WAS PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL IN REGULAR ARMY, COMMANDED A COMBAT BATTALION DURING THE KOREAN WAR (WHEREBY HE RECEIVED A BRONZE STAR FOR VALOR IN COMBAT) AND RETIRED AS A COLONEL IN 1970 AFTER 29 YEARS OF SERVICE.