World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Thomas D. Criswell
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Seminole County, Oklahoma
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: SERGEANT. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY DECEMBER 2, 1942 AT OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. A PARATROOPER, WHO WAS 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 VICINITY OF POUPPEVILLE, FRANCE DURING THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY, THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, OPERATION OVERLORD. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO OKLAHOMA FOR BURIAL, WITH INTERMENT IN THE MAPLE GROVE CEMETERY, SEMINOLE, OKLAHOMA. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: HIS DIVISION WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN FOURRAGERE OF 1940 AND THE ORANGE LANYARD OF THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.