World War II Honoree

Joseph M. Gaston, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Heflin, Alabama

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private 1st Class. Inducted into the United States Army November 30, 1942 at Fort McClellan, Alabama and deployed to the European Theater of Operations after the completion of his Basic Combat Infantry Training and Chemical Schooling. Experienced combat as a member of the Second Platoon assigned to Charlie Company, 87th Chemical Battalion, attached to the 8th Infantry Regiment, a subordinate unit of the 4th Infantry ‘Ivy’ Division. He participated in the Battle of Normandy, D-Day, Tuesday, June 6, 1944, the invasion of Germany’s Fortress Europe, Code Name: Operation Overlord. His battalion went ashore on Utah Beach, during the assault on the German Army defenses. Killed in Action Monday, June 19, 1944 in the vicinity of Montebourg, France and buried in the Saint Mere Eglise #1 Battlefield Cemetery in Carentan, France. A truck loaded with ammunition that was parked in his work area suddenly exploded, cause unknown and undetermined. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, his remains were returned to his country and family, with interment in the Corinth Cemetery, Randolph, Alabama. This Soldier, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.