World War II Honoree

Blaine Queen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Whittier, North Carolina

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. On November 4, 1942, he entered the United States Army with his induction at Camp Croft, South Carolina, receiving his combat infantry training at Camp Adair, Oregon. Deployed to the European Theater of Operations with the 104th Infantry ‘Timberwolves’ Division, arriving in France on September 7, 1944. Served in Company-D as a Rifleman, First Battalion, 414th Infantry Regiment, and a subordinate unit of the Division. On October 15, 1944 the 104th received its first baptism of fire, when it moved into defensive positions near Wuustwezel, Belgium. Killed in Action Monday, October 23, 1944, when his platoon came under very heavy enemy fire. The ammunition began to run dangerously low, he volunteered to leave his foxhole to retrieve much needed supplies, and buried in the Henri Chapelle battlefield cemetery, Belgium. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, his family received his remains for burial, with interment at the Jenkins Creek Cemetery in Cherokee, North Carolina. He received the following awards posthumously: Silver Star and the Purple Heart. The Silver Star awarded for Distinguished Gallantry in Action and Valor in Combat against an enemy force. This American Patriot, a Native Citizen, a descendant of the Cherokee Tribe was awarded the Purple Heart, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.