World War II Honoree

Jessie O. Porter

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lexington, North Carolina

Honored By

Ms. Cheryl Owen

Enlisted on August 1, 1942. Arrived at the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater. In England on April 16, 1944 under the Command of 1st Army Lieutenant General Omar Bradley. With the 7th Corps under Major General J. Lawton Collins. With the 79th Infantry Division under Major General Wyche. With the 315th Regiment under Colonel Bernard B. McMahon. With Company E, landed on Utah Beach, Normandy on June 14, 1944. Taken as a POW in the early morning of July 3, 1944. Wounded by shrapnel from a U.S. bomb while being held prisoner. Shortly after July 3, 1944 was in the vicinity of St Lo, France. Escaped POW camp and was with the Russian troops at the end of the war. Arrived back in the U.S. on July 1, 1945. Discharged on October 16, 1945. Medals and Decorations: Cross of Lorraine, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Medal with Bronze Star and the WWII Victory Medal.