World War II Honoree

Arthur Leroy Ellsworth

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

El Reno, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE U.S. ARMY UPON COMPLETION OF THE RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION AND GRADUATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA. CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AFTER THE JAPANESE SURPRISE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER IN THE PENTAGON IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THEN OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER. STATIONED INITIALLY IN ENGLAND AND THEN ON THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE WITH GENERAL PATTON'S THIRD ARMY. SERVED AS PART OF THIRD ARMY'S STAFF ENGAGED IN MILITARY GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS IN FRENCH CITIES AS THEY WERE LIBERATED. LANDED IN NORMANDY, FRANCE ON JUNE 9, 1944 (D-DAY + 3) AND PARTICIPATED IN EUROPEAN CAMPAIGNS, INCLUDING THE NORMANDY, AND NORTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR WITH THE RANK OF MAJOR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.