World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Joe A. Potts
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
North Carolina
Honored By
An Indebted American
SERVED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. WAS A LIGHT MACHINE GUNNER ASSIGNED TO THE 101ST AIRBORNE, 501ST PARACHUTE REGIMENT AS A PARATROOPER. RECIPIENT OF THE SILVER STAR AND PURPLE HEART FOR ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE FOR DESTROYING A GERMAN MACHINE GUN NEST. ADDITIONAL DECORATIONS INCLUDED THE PARACHUTIST BADGE, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (EUROPE), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. FOUGHT AT RHINELAND, BATTLE OF THE BULGE, AND IN CENTRAL EUROPE. WOUNDED IN BELGIUM ON JANUARY 10, 1945, DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE AT BASTOGNE, BELGIUM, WHICH OCCURRED JUST A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO GENERAL PATTON BREAKING THROUGH THE LINES TO END THE BATTLE.