World War II Honoree

Vernon L. Christofel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clairton, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Jerry Christofel

Relationship

Nephew

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. European Theatre of Operations, 84th Infantry Division, 335th Infantry, Company B. Ardennes Campaign, December 1944 to January 1945; Central Europe Campaign, AND Rhineland Campaign. WOUNDED IN ACTION; 3 JANUARY 1945. RECEIVED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, AND WWII Victory Medal. ALSO AWARDED THE Purple Heart MEDAL FOR A HEAD WOUND RECEIVED ON A 2nd Armored Tank at 05:45AM. HE was transported to a mobile field hospital for treatment and recovery. Returned to action in a week (2 April 1945). RECEIVED THE Bronze Star Medal FOR heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany, 8 April 1945. When his unit was temporarily delayed by automatic weapons fire from a strong enemy position, HE and two other enlisted men advanced to the flank of the strongpoint, and opened fire with automatic weapons, rifle and hand grenades killing 5 Germans, wounding 7 others and taking the remainder prisoner (AWARDED 29 May 1945). Entered military service from Pennsylvania. Continental Service: 5 Months, 29 Days. Foreign Service: 1 Year, 3 Months, 24 Days.