World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Melvin D. Edwards
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Sedgwick County, Kansas
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: CORPORAL. HE WAS A PARATROOPER ASSIGNED TO GOLF COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION ON D-DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944 IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS DURING THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY, THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, OPERATION OVERLORD. HE DIED ALONG WITH 16 OTHER PARATROOPERS AND ALL 4 AIRCREW MEN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT, A C-47 ‘SKYTRAIN’ TROOP CARRIER EXPLODED IN MIDAIR AFTER ENCOUNTERING HEAVY ARTILLERY FLAK WHILE APPROACHING THE DESIGNATED DROP ZONE IN THE PICAUVILLE AREA ON THE FRENCH COTENTIN PENINSULA. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO KANSAS FOR BURIAL MAY 10, 1948, WITH INTERMENT AT FORT SCOTT NATIONAL CEMETERY, FORT SCOTT, KANSAS.