World War II Honoree

Buford Francis Esslinger

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mankato, Kansas

Honored By

Wife and Children

AFTER BASIC TRAINING HE SERVED 12 MONTHS IN THE 357TH INFANTRY AS AN AMMUNITION BEARER. HE THEN ATTENDED COOKS SCHOOL AMD MESS MANAGEMENT SCHOOL. HE SERVED UNDER GENERAL GEORGE PATTON'S 3RD ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE AND FOUGHT IN THE FOXHOLES IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. BUFORD RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART, BRONZE STAR, SILVER SERVICE STAR AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HE WAS WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART.