World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Thomas 'Jack' Harridge
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Dallas, Texas
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS AN 18 YEAR OLD HEAVY MACHINE GUNNER WITH THE 169TH INFANTRY REGIMENT (REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM), 43RD INFANTRY 'WINGED VICTORY' DIVISION DURING THE WAR. PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING AT LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES, HIS UNIT ARRIVED IN JAPAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1945 FOR DUTY WITH OCCUPATION FORCES. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘JAPAN’ CLASP. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS BATTALION AT LUZON. AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR SERVICE BY HIS REGIMENT IN THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 17, 1944 TO JULY 4, 1945. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.