World War II Honoree

Harry E. Havens

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bordentown, New Jersey

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

AT 22 YEARS OLD HE PROUDLY SERVED HIS COUNTRY AS A MASTER SERGEANT IN THE U.S. ARMY IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER DURING WWII. HE WAS A MEMBER OF 'G' COMPANY, 7TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 3RD INFANTRY BATTALION. HE WAS AWARDED A SILVER STAR IN 1944 FOR HIS ACTIONS IN GUIDING 4 INJURED FELLOW SOLDIERS TO AN AID STATION NEAR LA VOIRE, FRANCE AND EVACUATING ANOTHER WHILE ENEMY SHELLS BURST ALL AROUND HIM. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS AFTER TAKING THE LEAD IN A FEROCIOUS BATTLE NEAR HOUSSEN, FRANCE IN 1945. HE HELPED TAKE AN ENEMY-HELD HOUSE WHILE BRAVING HEAVY FIRE AND THEN CHARGING INTO A GERMAN TRENCH. HE WAS CAPTURED AND TAKEN PRISONER IN MARCH OF 1945 AND MARCHED ACROSS THE GERMAN COUNTRYSIDE TO A PRISON CAMP. HE WAS LIBERATED AT 4:15 AM ON APRIL 27TH 1945. HE ALSO RECEIVED A PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL 67 YEARS LATER.