World War II Honoree

William R. Hanks

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Carlsbad, New Mexico

Honored By

Stephen

Relationship

Son

ASSIGNED DUTY TO AN INFANTRY UNIT WHERE HE SERVED IN THE PHILIPPINES. HE EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE AND WAS AWARDED TWO BRONZE STAR AND ONE PURPLE HEART MEDAL. THIS MEDAL WAS AWARDED WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A WOODEN BULLET THE JAPANESE WERE USING WHEN METAL BECAME SCARCE. HE RECEIVED A BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION AND WAS SERVING AS A CAPTAIN AT THE END OF HOSTILITIES. HE WAS STILL HAVING SPLINTERS REMOVED AFTER THE END OF THE WAR.