World War II Honoree

Richard D. Bird

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Crowell, Texas

Honored By

John C. Burkhardt, SVC MOPH, Chapter 1919, Austin, Texas

NUMBER 18202390 - ENLISTED INTO THE ARMY ON AUGUST 16, 1942 AND REPORTED FOR ACTIVE DUTY ON MAY 8, 1943, IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. ONCE HE COMPLETED TRAINING HE WAS SENT TO EUROPE AND ASSIGNED TO COMPANY K, 394TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 99TH INFANTRY DIVISION. HE SAW COMBAT ACTION IN THE ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN CAMPAIGNS GO 33 WD 45. ON DECEMBER 18, 1944, HE WAS WOUNDED AND CAPTURED WHILE FIGHTING IN BELGIUM; THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HE WAS IN PRISON AT STALAG 4B MUHLBERG SACHSEN 51-13. AMONG THE NUMEROUS AWARDS AND CITATIONS HE RECEIVED THE EXPERT INFANTRYMAN BADGE; EXPERT M1-RIFLE; EUROPEAN- AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL; COMBAT INFANTRYMAN'S BADGE; GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND AMERICAN THEATER SERVICE MEDAL. HE RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES ON JUNE 20, 1945 AND SEPARATED FROM DUTY NOVEMBER 3, 1945.