World War II Honoree

Edgar Paine German

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Redding, Connecticut

Honored By

Grateful American

ENTERED THE ARMY ON AUGUST 5, 1940. QUICKLY ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS, ATTAINING THE RANK OF CAPTAIN. COMMANDED BATTERY B OF THE 687TH FIELD ARTILLERY IN BELGIUM, NORMANDY AND THE ARDENNES. THE 687TH FOUGHT THE GERMAN COUNTER OFFENSIVE IN THE ARDENNES REGION OF EASTERN BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE ON DECEMBER 16, 1944. THE 687TH PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE ALLIED VICTORY DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HE ACHIEVED THE RANK OF MAJOR ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1944 AFTER SEVERAL OTHER ENGAGEMENTS, INCLUDING NORMANDY, THE RHINELAND AND NORTHERN FRANCE. CAPTURED BY THE GERMAN FORCES AND WAS A PRISONER OF WAR. LATER PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL, RECEIVING SEVERAL DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS, INCLUDING THE PURPLE HEART, THE BRONZE STAR, A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL WITH 5 SERVICE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE WWII MEDAL.