World War II Honoree

Byron Othello Wilkins, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Luxora, Arkansas

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

In May 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army when ROTC students were called to active duty. He qualified for the Army Specialized Training that was later discontinued in March of 1944. He was transferred to the 99th Infantry Division and joined Company K of the 393rd Infantry as rifleman. In September, the 99th embarked for England and in November he arrived on the front line on the Belgian-German border. On the first day of the Battle of the Bulge, his company was hit by two German regiments, and he was taken prisoner until the end of the war. Military citations included the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.