World War II Honoree

James W. Hazen, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ponca City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. On April 7, 1942, he entered the United States Army with his induction at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Deployed to the European Theater of Operations, after the completion of his combat infantry training. Served in the Seventh Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry ‘Rock of Marne’ Division attached to the U.S. Seventh Army. His division participated in the invasion of Southern France against the German armed forces, Code Name: Operation Dragon. Killed in Action Tuesday August 15, 1944 near Sainte-Maxime on the first day of the invasion, and buried in the Draguignan Battlefield Cemetery in Saint Raphael, France. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, the family of this Soldier requested that his remains be interred in the Rhone American Cemetery in Draguignan (Var), France. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.