World War II Honoree

Robert J. Dreis

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Richard Dreis

Relationship

Son

PRIVATE, SERVED FROM OCTOBER 30, 1942 TO JULY 31, 1945; OVERSEAS IN ENGLAND, FRANCE, BELGIUM, HOLLAND AND GERMANY FROM MAY 21, 1944 TO MAY 28, 1945 AS AN AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN WITH COMPANY B, 38TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION. CAME ASHORE ON OMAHA BEACH ON D-DAY PLUS 2. QUALIFIED AS AN EXPERT ON M-1 RIFLE; ALSO USED BAZOOKA, RIFLE GRENADE LAUNCHER, HAND GRENADES AND CARBINE IN COMBAT. ROUNDED UP PRISONERS OF WAR. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROISM IN COMBAT; THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER (2 AWARDS) FOR WOUNDS SUSTAINED IN COMBAT ON AUGUST 4, 1944 IN FRANCE AND JANUARY 28, 1945 IN BELGIUM; THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPE-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE STARS FOR THE BATTLE CAMPAIGNS OF NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, THE ARDENNES AND THE RHINELAND; THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL; AND THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON. THE 38TH INFANTRY REGIMENT WAS ALSO AWARDED 2 DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS FOR ACTIONS IN THE BATTLE FOR BREST, FRANCE AND KRINKELT, BELGIUM; THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH SILVER-GILT STAR FOR THE BATTLE OF BREST AND THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR BEING CITED IN THE BELGIAN ORDER OF THE DAY FOR ACTIONS IN THE ARDENNES AND AT ELSENBORN CREST. RECEIVED DISABILITY FOR SEVERE FROSTBITE IN 1945. RECEIVED THE 'RUPTURED DUCK' LAPEL PIN FOR HONORABLE SERVICE AND EARNED THE 50TH D-DAY ANNIVERSARY FRENCH JUBILEE OF LIBERTY MEDAL. DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL CENTER, SCU #1748, CAMP CARSON, COLORADO.