World War II Honoree

Edward L. 'Bill' Cecil

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Berryhill Community, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 9TH ARMORED DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. THE GERMAN ARDENNES COUNTEROFFENSIVE STRUCK HIS DIVISION HARD ON DECEMBER 16, 1944 ALONG THE LUXEMBOURG-GERMAN FRONTIER AND HE PARTICIPATED IN DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER. HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TANK DRIVERS TO CROSS THE LUDENDORFF RAILROAD BRIDGE AT REMAGEN ON MARCH 7, 1945 AND HELPED ESTABLISH A FIRM BRIDGEHEAD ACROSS THE RHINE RIVER. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.