World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
James Walter Powell, Jr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Thurmont, Maryland
Honored By
Friend
DRAFTED IN JUNE 1944 AS MACHINE GUNNER, PROMOTED TO COMPANY CLERK TYPIST. ASSIGNED TO THIRD INFANTRY 'RAINBOW DIVISION', 232ND BATTALION, COMPANY D. CAPTURED BY GERMANS IN GAMBSHEIM ON JANUARY 6, 1945 AND REMAINED A PRISONER OF WAR FOR 111 DAYS UNTIL BEING LIBERATED APRIL 26, 1945, LOSING ONE-THIRD OF HIS ORIGINAL BODY WEIGHT. WITNESSED BOMBING OF BERLIN. DISCHARGED NOVEMBER 30, 1945. AWARDS: EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, 42ND RAINBOW DIVISION PIN, SERVICE 'RUPTURED DUCK' LAPEL PIN.