World War II Honoree

McKinley Porter

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lexington, North Carolina

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

HIS REGIMENT STAGED AT CAMP MYLES STANDISH AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ON FEBRUARY 1, 1944 AWAITING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT. SAILED FROM THE BOSTON PORT OF EMBARKATION ON FEBRUARY 11, 1944 AND ARRIVED IN ENGLAND ON FEBRUARY 22, 1944. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 120TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 30TH INFANTRY 'OLD HICKORY' DIVISION. LANDED ACROSS OMAHA BEACH AT NORMANDY, FRANCE ON JUNE 10, 1944. HIS REGIMENT PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR HIS DIVISION BEING CITED TWICE IN THE ORDER OF THE DAY OF THE BELGIAN ARMY FOR ACTIONS IN BELGIUM AND AGAIN IN THE ARDENNES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.