World War II Honoree

Ralph Neal

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Byrdstown, Tennessee

Honored By

Randy D. Neal

Relationship

Son

COMPLETED INFANTRY BASIC TRAINING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1943 AT FORT MCCLELLAN, ALABAMA. SERVED WITH COMPANY A, 141ST REGIMENT OF THE 36TH INFANTRY DIVISION. FOUGHT AT THE RAPIDO RIVER CROSSING AT CASSINO, ITALY. WOUNDED BY ENEMY FIRE AND CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS, HELD PRISONER OF WAR FOR 15 MONTHS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE U.S. ARMY AT FORT OGLETHORPE, GEORGIA, ON NOVEMBER 11, 1945. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: NAPLES-FOGGIA GO3 WD 45. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EAST CAMPAIGN MEDAL; COMBAT INFANTRYMAN MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, OAK LEAF CLUSTER.