World War II Honoree

Earl Poplin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

China Grove, North Carolina

Honored By

Ethel Hall & Novaro & Jan Nichols

Relationship

Wife & Friends

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, TOOK BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP WHEELER, GEORGIA, THE SPRING OF 1944. WHILE CROSSING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL ON DECEMBER 24, 1944 THE BELGIAN TROOPSHIP SS LEOPOLDVILLE HE WAS ON WAS HIT BY A TORPEDO AND SANK. HE WAS RESCUED FROM THE ICY WATERS BY A COAST GUARD BOAT. HIS UNIT WAS LATER SENT TO SAINT-NAZAIRE, LORIENT PERIMETERS WHERE A LARGE GERMAN UNIT WAS SURROUNDED. HIS UNIT MISSED THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE WHICH WAS THEIR ORIGINAL DESTINATION. WHEN WAR ENDED HE WAS ON OCCUPATION DUTY. DISCHARGED 1946.