World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
George W. Winkler
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Neche, North Dakota
Honored By
Family
96TH INFANTRY DIVISION, 381ST COMPANY C. DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY IN 1944 AND SENT TO CAMP HOOD, TEXAS. ATTACHED TO COMPANY C AND TRAVELED TO HAWAII FOR JUNGLE TRAINING AND THEN ON TO SAIPAN. THE NEXT STOP WAS OKINAWA, JAPAN, ON EASTER SUNDAY IN 1945, WITH THE 96TH INFANTRY DIVISION AS A RIFLEMAN IN THE 'DEAD EYE DIVISION.' TOOK A MORTAR HIT TO LEFT LEG AND WAS OPERATED ON IN THE FIELD HOSPITAL. WAS THERE A WEEK THEN SHIPPED TO GUAM, FOR 52 DAYS FOR FURTHER CONVALESCENCE. FROM GUAM, WAS SENT TO SAIPAN, AND AWARDED A PURPLE HEART. SENT TO PELELIU BY THE NAVY FOR GUARD DUTY THEN BACK TO SAIPAN TO JOIN THE WESTERN PACIFIC BASE COMMAND. ARRIVED BACK IN THE U.S. IN SEPTEMBER 1946 AND WAS DISCHARGED SOON AFTER.