World War II Honoree

Troy Millard Batson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Sulphur, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

Relationship

0

SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER, IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO), AS A COMMUNICATIONS LINEMAN WITH THE 926TH SIGNAL BATTALION, ARMY SERVICE CORPS FROM 1943-1945. HIS BATTALION MOVED FORWARD AS THE WAR PROGRESSED FROM ENGLAND TO FRANCE TO BELGIUM AND INTO GERMANY. THE BATTALION PROVIDED COMMUNICATIONS LINES NECESSARY FOR GROUND COMMANDERS TO MAKE THEIR REQUESTS FOR CLOSE AIR SUPPORT (CAS) IN SUPPORT OF GROUND FORCES AND ACTUALLY COORDINATE ATTACKS WITH INBOUND PILOTS. THE EFFORT TO COORDINATE CAS WAS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT GIVEN THE SHORTAGE OF FIELD MODULATED (FM) RADIOS AND LAYING AND MAINTENANCE OF LAND LINES FROM FRONT LINE COMMANDS THROUGH SWITCHBOARDS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO FM RADIOS AND EQUIPMENT. TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS THEN HAD TO BE ESTABLISHED TO THE AIR FORCES GROUND SUPPORT CENTERS. ONE OF HIS GREATEST CHALLENGES WAS MAINTAINING WIRE LINES IN THE HORRENDOUS WINTER WEATHER DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. THE BATTALION MOVED FROM ERLANGEN TO BAD KISSINGEN IN GERMANY AS THE WAR ENDED. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER SERVICE STAR (5 CAMPAIGNS), WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘GERMANY’ CLASP. ALSO AUTHORIZED THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE UNIT PLAQUE (MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION) FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS PERFORMANCE BY HIS BATTALION DURING SUSTAINED MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST ENEMY FORCES DURING THE PERIOD JUNE 1-AUGUST 1, 1944. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.