World War II Honoree

Jack Dean 'Red' Palmer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hanna, McIntosh County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1944. HIS REGIMENT LANDED AT MARSEILLE, FRANCE ON OCTOBER 20, 1944. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER, AND OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER, IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO), WITH THE 411TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 103RD INFANTRY 'CACTUS' DIVISION DURING THE WAR. ENTERED GERMANY ON MARCH 23, 1945, AND CROSSED INTO AUSTRIA ON MAY 2, 1945. ALL HOSTILITIES CEASED IN THE DIVISION'S SECTOR ON MAY 5, 1945, WITH THE SURRENDER OF GERMAN FORCES IN SOUTHERN GERMANY. THEN SERVED WITH OCCUPATION FORCES IN AUSTRIA AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. HIS REGIMENT WAS LOCATED AT IMST, AUSTRIA ON AUGUST 14, 1945, WHEN THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE ALLIED UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TERMS. WORLD WAR II FORMALLY ENDED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945, AND VICTORY OVER JAPAN DAY (V-J DAY) WAS PROCLAIMED. STATIONED FOR SOME 18 MONTHS IN FRANCE, GERMANY, AND AUSTRIA. PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. 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), WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON NOVEMBER 22, 1945, AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.