World War II Honoree

Denver Clyde Hatfield

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pawnee, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT FORT BRAGG AT FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA; CAMP WOLTERS AT MINERAL WELLS, TEXAS; AND FORT BENNING AT COLUMBUS, GEORGIA. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 101ST AIRBORNE 'SCREAMING EAGLES' DIVISION DURING THE WAR IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO). PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE COMBAT PARACHUTIST BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD (COMBAT PARACHUTE JUMPS) AND 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS (4 CAMPAIGNS), WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION WITH BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER (2 AWARDS) FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS UNIT IN COMBAT AT NORMANDY AND AGAIN AT BASTOGNE. AWARDED THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH BRONZE PALM FOR ACTIONS BY HIS UNIT AT NORMANDY, FRANCE. AWARDED THE BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH BRONZE PALM FOR BRAVERY IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY BY HIS UNIT AT BASTOGNE, BELGIUM. AUTHORIZED THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR HIS UNIT BEING CITED TWICE IN THE ORDER OF THE DAY OF THE BELGIAN ARMY FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY IN COMBAT IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM. AUTHORIZED THE NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD FOR HIS UNIT BEING CITED AND AWARDED THE NETHERLANDS MILITARY ORDER OF WILLIAM. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945 WITH THE RANK OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.