World War II Honoree

Woodrow W. Avritt

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Weatherford, Oklahoma

Honored By

Mrs. Sharon Kay Andersen

Relationship

Niece

Enlisted in Battery D, 158th Field Artillery, 45th Infantry Division, National Guard at Weatherford in June 1934. The Guard mobilized on September 16, 1940. Inducted into Federal Service, U.S. Army on July 27, 1942 and assigned to Camp Roberts, California. Received officer training at Camp Hood, Texas. Received a commission of 2nd Lieutenant on February 25, 1943. Then assigned to Armored Tank Division, attended Tank Destroyer Automotive School and Tank Destroyer Full Track Vehicles School. Next duty assignment was Fort Reno, Oklahoma, then a POW Camp. Discharged there on March 6, 1946. Following separation from service in 1946 as a Lieutenant, he continued in Army Reserves and was recalled to active duty on April 18, 1951 to serve with 2nd Armored Division, 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion. Went to Germany with rank of Captain and for 1 year was engineer in charge of reconstruction of Occupied Germany. Upon returning to States, was with Army Reserve until July 27, 1963. Then transferred to National Guard. Served with the Guard until July 1967, when he retired with 20 years service and at rank of Major. Decorations: American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Ribbon, American Theater Campaign, Army Occupation Medal.