World War II Honoree

Harold Albert Wessels

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Greencreek, Idaho

Honored By

Ms. Kathy Heinemeyer

Relationship

Daughter

DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY, DECEMBER 1943. BASIC TRAINING AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA AND SELECTED FOR THE ARMY SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAM. HE WAS SCHEDULED TO ATTEND THE INFANTRY OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS) IN KANSAS, BUT DUE TO LOSSES IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, THE SELECTEES WERE SENT TO FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA FOR TRAINING WITH THE 100TH INFANTRY. WENT TO EUROPE IN SEPTEMBER 1944 AND LANDED IN MARSEILLES. FROM THERE HE MARCHED THROUGH FRANCE TOWARD GERMANY WITH THE 100TH INFANTRY, 397TH REGIMENT, K COMPANY. HE WAS A BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN AND FOUGHT IN THE 'SQUEEZE' AGAINST THE GERMAN 19TH ARMY. SUFFERED A FLESH WOUND ON NOVEMBER 4, 1944, ON HIS 22ND BIRTHDAY AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS AWARDED THREE PURPLE HEARTS AS A RESULT OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN BATTLES AT BACCARAT, FRANCE ON DECEMBER 4, 1944, DIJON, FRANCE ON FEBRUARY 4, 1945 AND VOSGES MOUNTAINS IN MARCH 1945. AFTER BEING WOUNDED THE 3RD TIME, HE WAS SENT TO A HOSPITAL IN COVENTRY, ENGLAND TO RECUPERATE. HE WAS THEN APPOINTED AS CHIEF CLERK AND AS A CARGO OPERATOR AT 14TH PORT HEADQUARTERS IN SOUTHAMPTON WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL RETURNING TO GREENCREEK IN JUNE 1946.