World War II Honoree

Earnest M. Dukes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mendenhall, Mississippi

Honored By

Nathan Douglas

Relationship

Grandson

Served in the Army Company C, 23rd Infantry as a Mortar Gunner. Combat Infantryman Badge 44. Was in battle of Northern France GO 33 WD 45, Rhineland GO 40 WD 45, Ardennes GO 33 WD 45 and Central Europe GO 40 WD 45. Was awarded Oak Leaf Cluster per GO 12 did 49th Hospital 19 January 45, Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal and the Purple Heart GO 136th Headquarters 2nd Infantry Division 19 November 44. Was wounded twice in action and kept fighting October 29 44 European Theater of Operations and December 19 44 European Theater of Operations. Was struck by mortar shrapnel Demobilized AR-615. Separated from service honorably at Camp Swift Texas 4 November 1945 by Lieutenant Colonel J. E. Schooley. In WWII the 23rd Infantry as part of the 2nd Infantry Division came ashore on Omaha Beach on D+1 June 7, 1944, and immediately entered the fierce hedgerow fighting culminating in the seizure of the city of Brest. The 23rd saw heavy combat across France and held the line at St. Vith during the Battle of the Bulge. For its gallantry in WWII the 23rd Infantry was awarded four Presidential Unit Citations.