World War II Honoree

Edward James Putman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Rensselaer, Indiana

Honored By

John Edward Putman

Relationship

Son

He served in Company C of the 5th Army in the 109th Medical Battalion 34th Red Ball Division as a Litter Bearer. He started in WWII by landing in England, then to North Africa and into Italy. Just outside of Rome, Italy, he was wounded where he received a Purple Heart and the Cross of Italy for helping remove the dead and wounded. In November of 1943, he received a Citation of Valor for exceptionally meritorious conduct served from January 18, 1942 to September 2, 1945. While acting as a guide for litter bearers evacuating men to advanced aid station, it became necessary for the group to take cover due to a concentration of heavy enemy artillery fire. From this point, on his own initiative, he advanced alone under the intense enemy fire and through known minded areas to battalion aid station. Upon finding a number of casualties at the aid station he returned, located the litter squads, and led them through areas still under enemy fire, pointing out minded areas as they progressed. The conduct and initiative he faced in grave danger was highly commendable and credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.