World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Jessie L. Pennington
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Hall County, Georgia
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY SEPTEMBER 21, 1943 AT FORT MCPHERSON, ATLANTA, GEORGIA. AFTER PARATROOPER TRAINING, HE SERVED WITH THE 3RD PLATOON, F-COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF HOLLAND, CODE NAME: OPERATION MARKET GARDEN, NETHERLANDS CAMPAIGN. KILLED IN ACTION MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1944 BY A GERMAN HAND GRENADE DURING THE FIERCE BATTLE OF OPHEUSDEN IN THE VICINITY OF DRIEL. HE IS BURIED IN THE NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT MARGRATEN, NETHERLANDS. DECORATION AND CITATION: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.