World War II Honoree

X B Cox, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

San Angelo, Texas

Honored By

Joe Fields

CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN JUNE OF 1941, AS A 1ST LIEUTENANT, AND SERVED UNTIL MARCH 1946. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION IN AUGUST OF 1942, AT THE TIME IT WAS ESTABLISHED, AND SERVED IN THE 81ST AIRBORNE ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTALION. ON MARCH 25, 1945 HE WAS PROMOTED TO BE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 81ST AIRBORNE ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTALION. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY LANDINGS ON D-DAY, RODE A GLIDER INTO ZON, HOLLAND FOR OPERATION MARKET GARDEN, WAS SURROUNDED AT BASTOGNE, BELGIUM DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, AND WAS INVOLVED IN COMBAT IN GERMANY UNTIL THE AMERICAN TROOPS OCCUPIED BERCHTESGADEN, HITLER'S EAGLE'S NEST. FROM THERE HE WAS SENT TO FRANCE TO PREPARE TROOPS TO GO TO JAPAN BUT BECAUSE OF THE DROPPING OF THE ATOMIC BOMB, HE RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES, IN NOVEMBER OF 1945 WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL.