World War II Honoree

Preston R. Harris

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hidalgo, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: STAFF SERGEANT. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD AND WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY NOVEMBER 25, 1940 AT SAN BENITO, TEXAS. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE 141ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 36TH INFANTRY ‘ARROWHEAD’ DIVISION, U.S. 5TH ARMY. KILLED IN ACTION SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1944 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SECURE A BRIDGEHEAD ACROSS THE RAPIDO RIVER ‘BLOODY RIVER’ IN THE VICINITY OF CASSINO, ITALY. HE IS BURIED IN THE SICILY-ROME AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT NETTUNO, ITALY. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.