World War II Honoree

Charlie Noel Wells

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Elgin, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1943. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 162ND INFANTRY REGIMENT, 41ST INFANTRY 'SUNSET' DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA, LUZON, AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGNS. HIS REGIMENT SAILED FROM AUSTRALIA ON MARCH 11, 1944 AND LANDED AT FINSCHAFEN, NEW GUINEA ON MARCH 23, 1944, AND ASSAULTED HOLLANDIA, DUTCH NEW GUINEA ON APRIL 22, 1944. ASSAULTED BIAK ISLAND, OFF THE NORTHWEST COAST OF DUTCH NEW GUINEA, ON MAY 27, 1944. PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SERGEANT BY AGE 19. DEPARTED BIAK ISLAND ON FEBRUARY 2, 1945 AND ARRIVED ON MINDORO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON FEBRUARY 9, 1945. HIS REGIMENT ASSAULTED ZAMBOANGA, MINDANAO, IN THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES ON MARCH 10, 1945. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR RESCUING A DOWNED PILOT BEHIND ENEMY LINES, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION DURING OPERATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE ARROWHEADS (AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT LANDINGS) AND 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS (3 CAMPAIGNS), AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR SERVICE BY HIS REGIMENT IN THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 17, 1944 TO JULY 4, 1945. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.