World War II Honoree

Leo E. Hamblin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Delta, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: SERGEANT. INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY, COLORADO NATIONAL GUARD SEPTEMBER 16, 1940 AT DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNED TO CHARLIE COMPANY, 157TH INFANTRY REGIMENT. TRAINED AT FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA, CAMP BARKELEY, TEXAS, PARTICIPATED IN THE TEXAS MANEUVERS, BROWNWOOD, TEXAS AND THE LOUISIANA MANEUVERS, MANSFIELD, LOUISIANA. DEPLOYED TO THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER AND ARRIVED IN NORTH AFRICA JUNE 22, 1943, WITH THE 45TH INFANTRY ‘THUNDERBIRD’ DIVISION. HE PARTICIPATED IN 511 DAYS OF COMBAT, COMMENCING ON JULY 10, 1943 DURING THE ASSAULT ON SCOGLITTI, SICILY, ADVANCING THROUGH SOUTHERN FRANCE AND STOPPING AT MUNICH, GERMANY. SERVED WITH THE OCCUPATION FORCES IN GERMANY AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES. CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES: SICILY, NAPLES-FOGGIA, ANZIO, ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE AND CENTRAL EUROPE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, PURPLE HEART, ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD AND 5 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945.