World War II Honoree

James Willard Place

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Blackburn, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT CAMP CAMPBELL AT HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY; AND CAMP BARKELEY AT ABILENE, TEXAS. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER DURING THE WAR, INCLUDING IN FRANCE, AND GERMANY. STAFF SERGEANT PLACE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON MARCH 31, 1945 DURING COMBAT OPERATIONS AT ALTHAUSEN, GERMANY. POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS (3 CAMPAIGNS), AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.