World War II Honoree

Harding E. Hale

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tullahoma, Tennessee

Honored By

Nathan Workman

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, SERVED AS A COMBAT INFANTRYMAN IN THE 376TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 94TH INFANTRY DIVISION DURING WWII. HE WAS INDUCTED IN THE ARMY ON AUGUST 8, 1944 AT CAMP FORREST, TENNESSEE. FOLLOWING A BRIEF STAY IN ENGLAND, HE LANDED WITH THE 94TH ON UTAH BEACH, FRANCE ON D-DAY+94, AND MOVED INTO BRITTANY. AS PART OF GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD U.S. ARMY, THE 94TH WAS KNOWN AS 'PATTON'S GOLDEN NUGGET', AND HE CONDUCTED OPERATIONS IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS WITH THIS DIVISION, INCLUDING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HE DEPARTED EUROPE ON APRIL 2, 1946 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON APRIL 16, 1946. DURING HIS 15 MONTHS OF SERVICE OVERSEAS, HE WAS AWARDED NUMEROUS CITATIONS AND DECORATIONS FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, INCLUDING TWO BRONZE STARS, THE ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AND NUMEROUS MARKSMANSHIP BADGES.