World War II Honoree

Otis Lee Copeland, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ehrhardt, South Carolina

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

HE WAS ORDERED INTO ACTIVE DUTY AT FORT BENNING ON JANUARY 9, 1942. HE SERVED IN THE HEAVY WEAPONS BRANCH AS INSTRUCTOR, PLATOON LEADER AND COMPANY COMMANDER UNTIL FEBRUARY 26, 1944 WHEN HE WAS REASSIGNED TO CAMP VAN DORN, MISSISSIPPI AS COMMANDER OF COMPANY A, 253RD INFANTRY REGIMENT. ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1944 HE LEFT FOR OVERSEAS DUTY AS COMMANDER OF HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 38TH ARMORED BATTALION. HE SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER OF OPERATIONS UNTIL HE WAS RETURNED TO THE STATES IN OCTOBER, 1945. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AT FORT BRAGG ON JUNE 10, 1946. HE EARNED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH TWO BRONZE STARS, THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.