World War II Honoree

Henry Perry Catts, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

GRADUATED FROM THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT, NEW YORK IN 1945, AND WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE ENGINEER CORPS. SHIPPED OVERSEAS IN 1945 AND SERVED WITH ARMY OCCUPATION FORCES IN THE 290TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION IN KELHEIM, GERMANY. AFTER A SHORT TOUR IN EUROPE, HE WAS ORDERED BACK TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1946 TO WORK ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR BOMBS AS A FOLLOW-ON TO THE MANHATTAN PROJECT. THAT PROJECT WAS THE CODE NAME FOR THE U.S. PROGRAM TO BUILD THE ATOMIC BOMB. STATIONED AT LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO, WORKING ON THE PROJECT FOR THREE YEARS UNTIL HIS MILITARY OBLIGATION WAS COMPLETE. AWARDED THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH 'GERMANY' CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1949 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.