World War II Honoree

Ralph Arnold

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clark County, Wisconsin

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

In June 1942, he was called up for active duty with the U.S. Army and sent to Officer Candidate School. By April 1943, he was stationed in North Africa with the 36th Division. In September 1943, he landed in Salerno, Italy, as part of the first wave of Allied forces to arrive on the European mainland. He fought at the Rapido River and the breakout from Anzio that led to the liberation of Rome. In August 1944, his unit landed on the French Rivera and began the fight north. In December 1944, his battalion repelled a German effort to retake Selestat, France. For its outstanding performance in defending Selestat, his battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation. After fighting in Southern Germany, he ended the war in Itter Castle, Austria. He finished the war with a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and, later, an appointment from the French government of a Chevalier (Knight) of the French Order of the Legion of Honor for his role in liberating France. He was discharged in December 1945.