World War II Honoree

Lafayette Green Pool

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Odem, Texas

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

He was drafted into the U.S. Army on June 14, 1941 and assigned to the new 3rd Armored Division. Deployed overseas in September 1943. He then became a tank-crew and tank-platoon commander that became recognized as the U.S. tank ace of aces. He is credited with 12 confirmed tank kills and 258 total armored vehicle and self-propelled gun kills, over 1,000 German soldiers killed and 250 more taken as prisoners of war, accomplished in only 81 days of action from June 27 to September 19, 1944, using three different Shermans. Awarded the Bronze Order of Saint George Medallion, Belgian fourragere, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, American Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, French Croix de Guerre with bronze star, French Legion d'Honneur grade of chevalier and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two 3/16" bronze stars.