World War II Honoree

Lelan Dean Cox

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Longdale, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN MAY, 1944 AT FORT SILL AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE 101ST AIRBORNE 'SCREAMING EAGLES' DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. PERFORMED DUTIES AS A PATHFINDER, WHO WERE PARATROOPERS THAT WERE DROPPED AHEAD OF THE MAIN FORCE TO MARK THE DROP ZONE DURING AIRBORNE ASSAULTS. PARTICIPATED IN THE DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE, BELGIUM AND ASSISTED IN THE LIBERATION OF CONCENTRATION CAMPS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS REGIMENT AT BASTOGNE. AUTHORIZED THE NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD FOR HIS REGIMENT BEING CITED AND AWARDED THE NETHERLANDS MILITARY ORDER OF WILLIAM. AUTHORIZED THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR HIS REGIMENT BEING CITED TWICE IN THE ORDER OF THE DAY OF THE BELGIAN ARMY FOR ACTIONS AT BASTOGNE, AND AGAIN IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.