World War II Honoree

Russell Lawrence Waldrum

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Paragould, Arkansas

Honored By

Joe D. Waldrum

Relationship

Nephew

HE SERVED AS A RIFLEMAN IN COMPANY A, 317TH INFANTRY, 80TH INFANTRY DIVISION. HE WAS INDUCTED 15 MARCH 1944 AT CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, ARKANSAS AND WAS SEPARATED 16 OCTOBER 1945. THE UNIT WAS TRANSPORTED TO FRANCE IN AUGUST,1944 ON THE QUEEN MARY. THEY WERE ASSIGNED TO GENERAL PATTON'S THIRD ARMY. HE WAS AWARDED THREE BRONZE STARS FOR ACTION IN THE RHINELAND, ARDENNES AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART ON JANUARY 6, 1945 FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED 12 NOVEMBER 1944 IN GERMANY AND 4 JANUARY 1945 IN LUXEMBOURG. HE WAS AWARDED ANOTHER BRONZE STAR IN MAY 1945. HE WAS ALSO AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.