World War II Honoree

Ted Ellsworth

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Dubuque, Iowa

IN THE FALL OF 1941, HE DECIDED TO VOLUNTEER. SINCE AMERICA HAD NOT YET ENTERED THE WAR, HE SECURED THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S PERMISSION TO JOIN A SPECIAL BRITISH ARMY REGIMENT KNOWN AS THE KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS. HE SERVED NOT ONLY WITH THE BRITISH ARMY BUT WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY AS WELL. HE SAW ACTION ON THREE FRONTS: AS AN INFANTRY SOLDIER IN THE FAMED DESERT RATS WITH GENERAL MONTGOMERY IN NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY, AND AFTER HIS TRANSFER TO THE U.S. THIRD ARMY IN 1944, HE FOUGHT WITH GENERAL PATTON TO CHASE THE GERMANS OUT OF FRANCE IN THE SECOND WAVE OF D-DAY. CAPTURED DURING THE BATTLE OF SIVRY, REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION AND PRESUMED DEAD, HE WAS HELD IN A PRISONER OF WAR CAMP IN POLAND BEFORE BEING LIBERATED BY THE RUSSIANS AND FINALLY MAKING HIS WAY ACROSS WAR-TORN EASTERN EUROPE TO THE BLACK SEA AND A SHIP FOR HOME. HE RETURNED HOME IN 1945.