World War II Honoree

William H. Criswell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

DeWitt, Arkansas

Honored By

Michael Criswell

Relationship

Nephew

SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY FROM SEPTEMBER 1942 TO NOVEMBER 1945. HE WAS AN AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN AND A MEMBER OF THE 350TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, A UNIT OF THE 88TH BLUE DEVIL DIVISION OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL MARK CLARK'S FIFTH ARMY. WAS ORDERED TO OCCUPY MT. BATTAGLIO IN NORTHERN ITALY AND HELD IT FOR SEVERAL DAYS AGAINST ALMOST CONTINUOUS GERMAN COUNTER ATTACK AND CLOSE-QUARTER FIGHTING. RECEIVED A PURPLE HEART MEDAL, (A GO 3 HEADQUARTERS, 88TH INFANTRY DIVISION) EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON WITH THREE BRONZE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY RIBBON, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON.