World War II Honoree

Marion L. Pence

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Gilman, Illinois

Honored By

Marion William Short

Relationship

Nephew

PRIVATE, A MEMBER OF HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION OF THE 508TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT. ENTERED THE SERVICE IN AUGUST 1942 AND TOOK RADIO TRAINING AT FT. RILEY KANSAS AND FT. LEONARD WOOD MISSOURI FOR ONE YEAR. HE THEN SIGNED UP AS A PARATROOPER AND TOOK HIS JUMP TRAINING AT FT. BENNING, GEORGIA BEFORE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 508TH, AT CAMP MACKALL, NORTH CAROLINA. THE REGIMENT WAS SENT OVERSEAS ON DECEMBER 28, 1943 AND WAS FIRST STATIONED IN IRELAND BEFORE BEING SENT TO NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND FROM WHENCE THEY TOOK PART IN THE D-DAY INVASION. HE JUMPED INTO NORMANDY AT ABOUT 0130 HOURS, JUNE 6, 1944 AND WAS KILLED ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.