World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Joe B. Gonzales
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Los Angeles, California
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY JUNE 23, 1941 AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AND BECAME A PARATROOPER, WHO SERVED WITH I-COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. HE JUMPED INTO THE AREA OF HIESVILLE, BATTLE OF NORMANDY ON THE FRENCH COTENTIN PENINSULA IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, 01:40, D-DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944. THIS WAS THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, CODE NAME: OPERATION OVERLORD. KILLED IN ACTION ON THE DAY OF THE ASSAULT AND IS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.