World War II Honoree

James Aurness

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Honored By

A Grateful American

HE SERVED AS A RIFLEMAN IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY WITH THE U.S. 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION, AND WAS SEVERELY WOUNDED DURING OPERATION SHINGLE, AT ANZIO, ITALY. HE LANDED ON ANZIO BEACHHEAD ON JANUARY 21, 1944 WHILE SERVING AS A RIFLEMAN WITH 2ND PLATOON, E COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 7TH REGIMENT OF THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION. DUE TO HIS HEIGHT (6' 7'), ACTING AS “A DEPTH FINDER”, HE WAS FIRST ORDERED OFF HIS LANDING CRAFT TO DETERMINE THE DEPTH OF THE WATER (IT CAME UP TO HIS WAIST). HIS MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS INCLUDE: THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL; THE PURPLE HEART; THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THREE BRONZE SERVICE STARS; THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE.