World War II Honoree

Eugene Mack Percy

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Iola, Kansas

Honored By

Caleb Percy

Relationship

Grandnephew

COMPLETED BASIC AND TANK TRAINING AT FORT RILEY, KANSAS. WAS DEPLOYED TO NORTH AFRICA IN COMPANY H, 3RD BATTALION, 13TH ARMORED REGIMENT, 1ST ARMORED DIVISION. SERVED AS A BOW GUNNER IN M3 'GENERAL GRANT' AND M4 'SHERMAN' TANKS. SURVIVED TANK BEING DESTROYED AT KASSERINE PASS, TUNISIA, AND WENT ON TO FIGHT AT EL GUETTAR, TUNISIA, WHERE HE EARNED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION. PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION ‘AVALANCHE’ WHICH WAS AN AMPHIBIOUS LANDING AT SALERNO, ITALY, AND WENT ON TO TAKE NAPLES. WAS WOUNDED BY HAND GRENADE FRAGMENTS AT THE RAPIDO RIVER, SOUTH OF CASSINO. SERVED IN THE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT AT ANZIO, ITALY, AND WENT ON TO TAKE ROME. WAS AWARDED A PURPLE HEART, THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, AMONG MANY OTHER AWARDS AND RIBBONS.