World War II Honoree

Ben Haner

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Yonkers, Wagoner County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

A MEMBER OF THE CHEROKEE INDIAN NATION, HE ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN DECEMBER, 1942. AFTER BASIC TRAINING, HE SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER ON THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. THEN, SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER IN FRANCE AND GERMANY. WOUNDED IN ACTION DURING A BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF A BRIDGE OVER LAKE AMMERSEE IN UPPER BAVARIA, SOUTHWEST OF MUNICH, GERMANY. SUFFERED THREE WOUNDS IN THE RIGHT LEG, WHICH HE LOST DUE TO GANGRENE WHICH SET IN WHILE AWAITING MEDICAL EVACUATION AND TREATMENT. FURTHER MEDICALLY EVACUATED TO THE STATES AND RECOVERED IN A HOSPITAL IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1946 WITH THE RANK OF PRIVATE AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.