World War II Honoree

James E. Fulton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bellefontaine, Ohio

Honored By

Madalene A. Fulton

Relationship

Spouse

SQUAD LEADER OF ONE OF THREE 80-MAN SECTIONS FROM THE 2ND RANGER BATTALION THAT LANDED ON THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY ON D-DAY. THE SECTIONS SCALED THE 100-FOOT HIGH CLIFFS ON ROPES THAT WERE ATTACHED TO GRAPPLE HOOKS AND ROCKETED OVER THE TOP. THE MISSION WAS TO KNOCK OUT THE GERMAN COASTAL ARTILLERY WHICH WAS FOUND TO HAVE RETREATED SOME DISTANCE FROM THEIR ORIGINAL POSITION. POINTE DU HOC WAS LIBERATED AND THE GERMAN COASTAL ARTILLERY WAS RENDERED INEFFECTIVE. THE 2ND RANGER BATTALION ADVANCE CONTINUED ON TO CHERBOURG PENINSULA. RECIPIENT OF THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE STARS, THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL WITH TWO OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE WAS RECOMMENDED FOR THE SILVER STAR, BUT DECLINED ACCEPTANCE. STAFF SERGEANT.