World War II Honoree

Alvin 'Alex' Alexander

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Elmore City, Oklahoma

Honored By

William E. Shaklee

Relationship

Friend and Neighbor at Epworth Villa Retirement Facility

WHEN THE WAR BEGAN, HE WAS AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE FIELD ARTILLERY SCHOOL, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA. IN JANUARY 1942 HE TOOK A NUMBER OF NEW GRADUATES TO FORT HOOD, TEXAS, FOR ASSIGNMENT TO A NEW BRANCH OF SERVICE, THE TANK DESTROYER COMMAND. ON MARCH 3, 1943, HE WAS APPOINTED A WARRANT OFFICER AND TRANSFERRED TO THE 83RD GENERAL HOSPITAL AT CAMP WHITE, OREGON. IN JANUARY 1944 THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED ORDERS TO PROCEED TO ENGLAND AND SET UP A HOSPITAL AT WREXHAM, WALES. SO THE MOVE WAS MADE TO BOSTON; LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND; AND STAGED IN LLANDUDNO, WALES, UNTIL THE HOSPITAL WAS COMPLETED. ON MARCH 15 THE UNIT WAS IN PLACE, READY FOR PATIENTS. THE INVASION OF FRANCE ON JUNE 6 BROUGHT IN HUNDREDS OF CASUALTIES AND THAT CONTINUED UNTIL THE END OF THE CONFLICT IN GERMANY. HE LEFT THE ORGANIZATION JUNE 14, 1945, AND JOINED THE MEDICAL AFFAIRS BRANCH OF THE U.S. GROUP CONTROL COUNCIL (GERMANY) IN BERLIN. IN AUGUST 1946 HE WAS ROTATED TO THE STATES AND REPORTED TO CAMP LUCKY STRIKE IN LE HAVRE, FRANCE, FOR TRANSPORTATION TO LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, FOR DISCHARGE. HE WAS RELEASED FROM THE U.S. ARMY SEPTEMBER 16 IN GRADE OF CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER.