World War II Honoree

Eldon L. Montgomery

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Topeka, Kansas

Honored By

Allan Henderson

JOINED THE ARMY ON MARCH 19, 1943 AND SERVED IN THE 326TH AIRBORNE ENGINEER BATTALION, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION. HE WAS A QUALIFIED PARACHUTIST AND JUMPED INTO HOLLAND IN OPERATION MARKET GARDEN. RUSHED TO BASTOGNE, BELGIUM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. REPORTED AS MISSING IN ACTION AFTER INITIAL COMBAT ACTIONS AGAINST THE 2ND SS PANZER DIVISION. HIS REMAINS HAVE NEVER BEEN RECOVERED. THE U.S. ARMY ISSUED A FINDING OF DEATH ONE YEAR AND ONE DAY AFTER HE WENT MISSING. HE EARNED THE PURPLE HEART, PARACHUTIST BADGE WITH COMBAT STAR, AND THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE.