World War II Honoree

Melvin H. Neighbors

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Leachville, Alaska

Honored By

Nancy Neighbors

Relationship

Daughter

My father started as a Sergeant in WWII; sent to Officer Candidate School (OCS) in France and, of course, at that time was a Lieutenant. He retired after 20 years as a Major. He was in the 82nd Airborne and jumped in Normandy. Dad was #18 of the 'Stick'; they jumped with an M1 rifle, pistols, land mines, a pack and the parachute on top; no life jackets. Flak hit their plane, and one man was hit before he jumped. After two days, there were only 18 men left in the company. There was no kitchen, no rations. Dad went back to the beach, got on a 'duck' out to the ships and got food for the men from the Navy. On July 4, he lay in a foxhole for two days. He was sent back to England to recover. In September, he rejoined the 82nd for the Battle of the Bulge. From there he went to Officer Candidate School (OCS) in France, then back to the same battalion and was in the Honor Guard for General Eisenhower's Headquarters.