World War II Honoree

Cleo G. Davis

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Paden, Oklahoma

Honored By

William E. Shaklee

Relationship

ROTC Classmate

APPOINTED SECOND LIEUTENANT MAY 14, 1942, FROM ROTC, OKLAHOMA A & M COLLEGE AND ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN JUNE 1942 TO CAMP ROBERTS, CALIFORNIA. HE WAS A PLATOON LEADER AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA; THEN TO THE 86TH DIVISION., FORT HOWZER, TEXAS. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION AND SERVED IN NEW ZEALAND, NEW CALEDONIA, AND THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE WAS WOUNDED BY A JAPANESE SNIPER FEBRUARY 4, 1945, AT THE BATTLE OF LUZON, LINGAYEN GULF, AND EVACUATED BY PLANE TO SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. HE SPENT SEVERAL MONTHS AT THE FITZSIMMONS GENERAL HOSPITAL, DENVER, COLORADO, AND WAS RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY DECEMBER 5. HIS AWARDS INCLUDED THE PURPLE HEART, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AND PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH BRONZE STAR.