World War II Honoree

Donald K. Purdy

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Fontanelle, Iowa

Honored By

Mark

Relationship

Son

ENLISTED SEPTEMBER 22, 1943 AT CAMP DODGE, Iowa. TRAINED AT CAMP WOLTERS IN MINERAL WELLS, Texas. SHIPPED OUT OF FORT MEADE, BALTIMORE, Maryland IN MARCH, 1944. STATIONED IN BELFAST, IRELAND, AND MOVED TO TROWBRIDGE, ENGLAND IN APRIL 1944 THROUGH D-DAY. RANKED AS Private first class AND SERVED AS MP IN 4TH ARMORED DIVISION THROUGH NOVEMBER, 1945; QUALIFIED AS SS RIFLEMAN. ENTERED FRANCE THROUGH ST. LO SHORTLY AFTER D-DAY. PARTICIPATED IN FIVE CAMPAIGNS INCLUDING NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE. RECEIVED BRONZE STAR (GO120, 4TH ARMY DIVISION) AND DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE (PRESIDENTIAL CITATION) BY PARTICIPATING IN LIBERATION OF THE 101ST AIRBORNE TRAPPED AT BASTOGNE. ALSO RECEIVED THREE OVERSEAS RIBBON BARS. THE 4TH ARMORED DIVISION SPEARHEADED PATTON'S CHASE THROUGH EUROPE. ENDED WAR IN STRAKONICE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA WHERE DIVISION MET RUSSIAN TROOPS. SPENT 6 MONTHS IN OCCUPATION FORCES IN GERMANY. RETURNED TO U.S. IN NOVEMBER; DISCHARGED DECEMBER 1, 1945 AT CAMP GRANT, ILlinois.