World War II Honoree

Raymond Theodore Cleeland

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Providence, Rhode Island

Honored By

Teri Ann Cleeland

Relationship

Daughter

VOLUNTEERED FOR THE ARMY AT AGE 18 IN MARCH 1944. INFANTRY BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP CROFT, SOUTH CAROLINA. COMPLETED PARACHUTE DEMOLITION TRAINING AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA IN SEPTEMBER 1944. STATIONED IN SWINDON, ENGLAND IN DECEMBER 1944 WITH THE 17TH AIRBORNE DIVISION. SERVED IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE WINTER OF 1944-1945, FROM REIMS, FRANCE, WORKING NEAR STRASBOURG, GERMANY AND HOUFFALIZE, LUXEMBOURG. FLEW IN A GLIDER INTO WESEL, GERMANY AND ASSISTED WITH CAPTURING GERMAN TROOPS AT THE END OF THE WAR. ASSIGNED TO THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION AND SENT TO BERLIN AS PART OF THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION. BROKE HIS LEG IN A FOOTBALL GAME WITH THE 82ND AIRBORNE TEAM IN BERLIN. SAILED TO ENGLAND ON THE QUEEN MARY AND SAILED BACK ON THE QUEEN ELIZABETH. DISCHARGED IN APRIL, 1946.