World War II Honoree

William R. 'Bill' Hedges

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bradley, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN THE 45TH DIVISION, OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD IN 1935 IN CHICKASHA, OKLAHOMA. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 45TH INFANTRY 'THUNDERBIRD' DIVISION. HIS DIVISION PARTICIPATED IN THE SICILY, NAPLES-FOGGIA, ANZIO, ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘GERMANY’ CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. REENLISTED IN THE REGULAR ARMY IN 1946 AND CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY ACTIVE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT WITH THE RANK OF MAJOR. LATER SERVED AND RETIRED FROM THE U.S. ARMY RESERVE WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL.