World War II Honoree

A. P. Herron

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Wise County, Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY SEPTEMBER 30, 1943 AT ABINGDON, VIRGINIA. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. ARMY, EASY COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. SERIOUSLY WOUNDED BY GERMAN GROUND FIRE IN THE VICINITY OF FOY, BELGIUM WHILE FIGHTING IN THE DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE CAMPAIGN. HE DIED OF HIS WOUNDS JANUARY 13, 1945 AND HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO VIRGINIA FOR BURIAL, WITH INTERMENT IN A PRIVATE CEMETERY. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. HIS DIVISION WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, A NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD AND THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.