Purple Heart Stories
Purple Heart Stories


Thomas La Bella's Story

Army, also awarded the Army Commendation, Combat Infantryman's Badge & Good Conduct Medal.


Gary George La Chapelle's Story

Army, He was part of 10 man patrol overrun by 50-100 VC/NVA force. We could not help then, the fight lasted less than one minute.


Sam Park Lacy's Story

Army, My Dad was in the 30th Infantry Division. He also received the American Campaign Ribbon, the WWII Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign, Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. He passed away September, 1986.


Frank Lakes' Story

Frank Lakes also received the EAME Theater Ribbon w/1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal World War II. (Army) When he was Honorably Discharged 14 March 1946, he was with the 65th Military Police Company. It is believed that he arrived at Normandy on 10 June 1944 with the 783rd Battalion, Company D. Frank Lakes Died 4 January 1968 in Mckee, Ky.


Kenneth M. Lakey's Story

Army, E.A.M.E. Campaign Medal with two Bronze Battle Stars; Victory Ribbon; Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf cluster; Bronze Star; American Theater Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge.


Omer William Lamere's Story

Omer Lamere was serving in the United States Army. He was in a foxhole that got hit. He lost part of his leg due to the incident. It was projected that he would never walk again....but due to his courageous spirit, he did walk again. He spent his years as a draftsman in a textile factory. As years progressed however, he had problems with the injury. His muscles tightened as he got older, and had to use a cane, and an electric stimulator. He eventually died of a blood clot in 1985.


Arnold R. LaMotte's Story

Air Force, Was stationed at Det 1 620 Tactical Control Squadron Dong Ha Vietnam Twelve Miles off the DMZ. Received artillary fire and Rocket fire daily from North Vietnam. Saw many good Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force members and friends die in a 12 month period on a daily basis lived in bunkers and underground living quarters on year round basis thanks to the Navy Sea Bees construction crews.


Thomas Percy Laney's Story

USA 30th div. 230th Field Art., forward observer. Awarded Silver Star posthumously for his actions.


Donald H. Lange's Story

392nd BG / 575 BSI, Tail Gunner in B-24, Flew 30 missions over Germany & France. He enlisted in the Army on July 10, 1943, at the age of 19 years old. It is amazing to me that such very young men had the bravery and courage to fight and win this horrible war. Daddy transferred to the Army Air Force (his desire). He trained at Miami Beach & Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. and ended up at Wendling, England - assigned to the 392nd Bomb Group, 576th Bomb Squadron (2nd Div.). In addition to being wounded by a German Fighter ME109, his plane also crashed in Armentiers (near Lille, France) on January 16, 1945 returning from a mission flying over Dresden, Germany. My Dad kept a diary of his missions. I will share his thoughts re: the mission on which he was wounded "7th Mission - Sept. 11, 1944. Hanover, Germany. 7 hrs (of Hell)"... "This is has to be my worst mission. Our target was the ordinance depot in Hanover. Enemy fighters and flak would take a high toll this day. Just after crossing the Rhine River, 20 to 30 Me-109 jumped us out of the sun. I was hit before I even saw them. I was thrown out of the tail turret. I climbed back in the turret. There were 3 ME109's coming in at 6-O'Clock level. They peeled off smoking but I don't think it was from my shooting. I crawled to the waist gunners. One of them started cutting away my flying suit but was interrupted by some more fighter attacks. The waist gunner finished treating me. Our intercom was shot out and two of our engines were hit bad. One of our waist gunners bailed out. A lot of ships and men lost on this day. Two more men were killed when they had to ditch their damaged plane in the English channel. My bombardier came back to our area to let us know we were going to try to make it back to our base. They had to throw everything out they could - to make the plane lighter. Meanwhile a couple of our P51s came and flew off our wing until we were in friendly territory. We were very happy to get home." I hope that this is not too long. I think that it says so much of what our fathers and brothers and sons went through. My Dad was awarded 6 Battle Stars; a Purple Heart; an ETO Ribbon with four battle stars; & an Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters by Colonel Lorin L. Johnson - Air corps Commander. We have a memo dated July 6, 1945 from W.F. Keogler (1st Lt. A.C.) stating that my Father "is authorized the Presidential Citation, per WD GO 37, 1945, awarded while he was a member of the 392 Hbombardment Group (H), 2d Air division." However, we have no record or copy of such a citation.


George M. Langford's Story

Army, Buried in St. Laurent-sur-mer, France at Normandy, American cemetery plot I row 27 grave 20.


Ernest M. Lanning's Story

Marines, Ernest was 18 years old when he lost his right leg above the knee. He also had serious Burns on his back and left leg.


George R. lanning's Story

During WWII, George Lanning and two men in his company burst into enemy headquarters in the Philippines and faced the Japanese commander and his staff. The Japanese jumped out the window, the American soldiers followed them and Lanning was struck in the face with a piece of shrapnel in the ensuing melee. Forty-five years later, Lanning was finally awarded the Bronze Star. He was also severely wounded on Okinawa by a Japanese sniper. Fifty years later Dad was operated on for Aneurysm of the aorta by Japanese Doctors, The Irony of war. He is gone now, but not forgotten. My Father, My Hero.


Charles Larntz's Story

Navy, Purple Heart w/Gold star two awards, Navy Commendation w\v, navy achievment, Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, Good conduct medal, Navy Expeditionary Forces Medal, National Defense Medal, US service in Vietnam War Medal (w/Four Bronze "Battle Stars), Rep. of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal (60 Date Bar).


Ward R. Larson's Story

Army, HQ. Co., 2nd Bn., 19th Infantry, 24th Div., Also awarded Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars & Presidential Unit Citation.


Bert E. La Rue's Story

Co C "1st Bn" 381st Inf., 96th Inf., Div. Army. 2nd Lt. LaRue was award the "Silver Star" for his actions during the battle of Leyte. He was always at the front with his men. He was my fathers platoon leader.


John W. Lavelle's Story

Army, 1st Armoured Div., John was missing in action and presumed dead when his tank was hit with artillery. We have a hand written letter signed by General Patton talking about John and the fact that Patton's own son in law was missing for 4 months before he turned up in a German POW camp. John was one of 9 children, most all of them served in WWII.


Leonard J. Lavender, Sr.'s Story

My dad was in the 94th Infantry Division, US Army, and was in three campaigns: Northern France, The Battle of the Bulge, and Central Europe(Germany). He received the Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, WWII Victory Medal, EAMET Service Medal. He served his country bravely, and actually should have never been in combat since he was totally deaf in one ear. He's 80 now and proud to be an American. Our family is proud of him.


Austin Layne's Story

Army, It is my understanding that Austin Layne was in the "Flying Arty." of the Army and was killed when his glider crashed when trying to land at or near Normandy France.


Stephen R. Layton's Story

Navy, Boatswain Mate 1/C, was also awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (USS Sterett DD407).


Harry F. Leathers' Story

5th Regimental Combat Team, My uncle, Corporal Harry F. Leathers not only served in Korea but he also served during World War II, and received the Victory Metal. He was part of the 7th Division who served in the Army of Occupation in Seoul Korea in 1949. The 5th Regimental Combat Team was then activated from the 7th Division. My uncle shipped to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii in June of 1949. They were then shipped back to Korea for the war in July of 1950. He served his country long and well for his short 23 years. We are very proud of him.


William Paul Lebus's Story

U. S. Navy Armed Guard, I was a member of the Navy Armed Guard on board the S.S. Cornelius Harnett. Following the invasion of Italy, the S.S. Cornelius Harnett was the first ship to enter the harbor at Naples, Italy. The harbor had numerous sunken ships and maneuvering was quite difficult. Our cargo consisted primarily of high octane aviation gasoline in 55 gallon drums. Originally we were anchored and off loading into barges, after a few days a dock area was cleared and we were moored in it, we then were able to unload using the ships cargo booms in a more efficient manner. Liberty was granted to 20 percent of the gun crew. The port was bombed daily, usually in the evening when it was dark. There was only 1 search light and no radar at the time. Our first warning of attack was when the bombs began falling. All of our guns were manned prior to dusk so we were ready if an aircraft was spotted. Following these attacks the ships deck would be covered with shrapnel. It is surprising that more were not wounded by this shrapnel. During action I was hit in the right leg, but didn`t become aware of it until we were secured from General Quarters. The Armed Guard did not have Medical people on board, so I was taken to a make shift medical center ashore, where my wounds were attended to by U.S. Army Doctors, I was released and returned to duty on my ship.

Some facts about the little known U.S. Navy Armed Guard. Upon our entering WWII our merchant ships were unarmed. The Armed Guard was re-formed from WWI to arm the merchant ships and supply Navy gunners for the security and defense of the vessels. Having enlisted in the Navy upon reaching my 17th birthday ( April/1942 ) I received 5 weeks of basis training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. After completing my 5 weeks I was informed that the Navy was looking for volunteers for the Navy Armed Guard. I volunteered and was transferred to the Naval Armory at the foot of Randolph St. in Chicago. While there I received 2 weeks of extensive gunnery training in the use of machine guns for anti-aircraft and 4'" 50 caliber surface guns. We also received training with small arms, .38 caliber revolvers and the .45 semi-automatic pistol. We had 2 Navy gunboats and before completing our training we went out on Lake Michigan and for the first time we actually fired real guns with real ammunition at a wooden target about 1/2 mile away, The target was primarily a floating raft with a 6" x 6" upright. One of our shots made a direct hit on the upright and demolished it. That ended our live firing as the target had to be repaired. This also completed my Armed Guard training and after a 12 hour liberty I was transferred to the Armed Guard Center, 52nd & 1st Ave. South Brooklyn, N.Y. A few days later I was assigned my first ship, The S.S. Charles H. Cramp, which was an old WWI ship. We went to Liverpool, England where we were refitted to carry troops and our armour was upgraded with newer and more efficient weapons. The ship was also fitted with a 30 ton Jumbo boom, capable of handling tanks, trucks and landing craft. We had been assigned the Invasion of North Africa at Oran-Arzew.

The men of the Armed Guard came from all walks of life. Their one common characteristic was that few of them had ever been near the ocean. Men who had never done more serious shooting than at ducks or quail soon found themselves bringing down German planes and firing heavy guns at submarines. That these men were always available to man the guns and that they were able to convert Armed Guard duty from the most hazardous duty afloat to perhaps the best duty in the Navy is a tribute to those who planned their procurement and who arranged the many details of training and equipment.

Men of the Armed Guard must be in good physical condition. They must have good eyesight and good ears. They must be qualified as swimmers. Since they were often at sea for long periods of time, they were required to have their teeth always in good repair. Above all, they must be people who had their hearts in their work, who loved their country and were willing to sacrifice even their lives for it if necessary. The Armed Guard was no place for the malcontent, the never-do-well, or the loafer. For months, Armed Guards lived on board ships with merchant seamen who were highly paid. They must be able to get along with those men who lived under no other discipline than that of their own labor union and the demands of the master of the ship.

Officers who were in charge of the men, and who had the status of commanding officers, had the usual qualifications of leadership expected of all naval officers who wear the uniform of the United States Navy. He was a kind of doctor, chaplain, and commanding officer at the same time.It is to be noted that these Armed Guards carried no medical personnel or photographers or yeomen for record keeping. This was all left up to the Armed Guard officer to attend to with time permitting. Armed guard records are very scarce and in many cases completely non-existent. Being Regular Navy on a Minority enlistment I finished my enlistment on board the USS PC 788 at Treasure Island, CA. My rate was Boatswains Mate First Class. Discharged 16 May 1946 at Great Lakes Naval Training Station.


George J. Le Comte's Story

Army Air Corps, Tailgunner on B-24 "Mission Belle" (ASN 42-51421, 465BG/780BS, 15AF) on bombing mission over Vienna, Austria oil refineries. Plane hit by flak, half the crew bailed out. Possibly hit by flak and didn't bail out.


Frederick Lederer's Story

Army, was also awarded a Bronze Star and three Oak Leaf Clusters. Dad was a medic on the front lines in the South Pacific.


Fonrose N. LeCrone's Story

Army, Co. G, 328th Infantry. Battles & campaigns: Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, Victory medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater, Ribbon w/3 bronze battle stars, 2 overseas service bars, good conduct medal, purple heart medal, bronze star medal. He was 29 years old at induction and had two dependents. Almost died from a burst appendix while on the front lines. Recovered and returned according to book I read written by former commanding officer, Sgt. Bruce Egger, age 22 during that time.


Albert Legris' Story

Details are sketchy on the mission he was on. I know he was on an aircraft carrier, and was a Naval radioman and gunner. Albert's brothers were also in the Navy. Lionel wrote a cartoon for The Catholic Universe Bulletin, dated 7/13/45, which depicts my Uncle Albert and how he converted another sailor to the church. I think the carrier was the Saratoga. He was shot down, I'm not sure where. Many years later, one sailor from the raft my uncle was in, visited my grandfather and told him about how my Uncle died. Apparently, after the plane was shot down, they were in a raft and he was wounded. He went over the side of the raft to give his life to help save his comrades. This is how the story was related to me.


Floyd LeMahieu's Story

Infantry; was also awarded a Combat Infantryman's Badge & Presidential Unit Citation.


Clifford Eugene Letterman's Story

Army, Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medals. Battles and Campaigns: Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland. My uncle's military occupation (745) was rifleman with the 38th. Infantry. The 38th participated in the African, European, and Middle Eastern theaters.


John L. Levitow's Story

Air Force, was also awarded the medal of honor, The only Air Force Enlisted man to receive this honor.


Michael Blair Leyman's Story

Army, Oak Leaf Cluster, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 5 bronze stars, and the good conduct medal. Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhine, and central Europe.


Victor Leon Liggett's Story

Son of Harvey Preston Liggett and Mattie Ethel Potts Liggett. Enlisted at 17, at Denver, Co. USMC, training at San Diego, Ca. First Division, Fifth Regiment, Paratrooper. Served at New Caledonia, Bougainville. Was also awarded the Bronze medal.


Marvin G. Liller, Jr.'s Story

He entered the army in December 1942 at Ft. Hay's Ohio. Upon entering he volunteered for Parachute Troops. He was accepted in June of 1943 and sent to Ft. Benning GA for 5 weeks of hellish training. On Saturday after graduation they asked for 150 volunteers to go to Europe. He volunteered and they sailed from NY on the Queen Elizabeth and 4 days later they arrived in Glascon, Scotland. From there they moved to Cookstown, North Ireland they then went on to Lociester, England. They left England for France, and at 1:00 am on June 6, 1944 they jumped into a place called St Mene Eclise That was D-Day. After a period of 33 days they were relieved.


Wally Lind's Story

Was wounded when an armoured calvary vehicle (apc) was destroyed by an enemy anti-tank mine.


Robert Lindstead's Story

Marines; recieved a shoulder wound from a bayanet, was hospitalized in Carona, CA, when the entire ward came down with an illness that caused paralysis. He was told he would never walk again and at the age of 76, he is still walking.


Willis L. Lintner's Story

Air Corps; also awarded Air Medal and 2 oak leaf clusters, & Presidential Citation.


William F. Liston's Story

US Army Infantry; Co. F 117 Inf. Reg. 30th Inf. Div. First wounded by a tree burst from German mortar round. Wounded a second time while being straffed by a German plane during a night tank raid. Awards include Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign, Europe, Africa, Middle Eastern Campaign, (with three battle stars) and WWII Victory Medal.


Claude Donald Livingston's Story

Marines, Gunner, Co. C, 5th Tank Bn., Died of his wounds on July 17, 1945 at age 19. born in Lohn Wolf, OK., he was "The kid his buddies called Sweet Pea".


John G. Lockard's Story

Marines, John was 17-1/2 when he enlisted with the Marines. He was also awarded: Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service medal, UN Service Medal, & Korean PUC.


William Lon Lockhart's Story

Army, He was MIA after the crash of a Helicopter, died while missing. Lon was with the 1st Squadron, 4th Calvary, 1st Infantry Division.


Elmer A. Lohr's Story

Infantry; was also awarded a Silver Star, Combat Infantryman's Badge & 1 Oak leaf Cluster.


Howard L. Lombard's Story

Army Air Force, My Grandfather was on a mission to bomb over Vienna Austria. He was not with his usual crew. The B-17 began to have engine failure and the pilot ordered the crew to bail. They all bailed except the pilot, which incidentally managed to get the plane landed safely. While parachuting down my grandfather landed flat on his back and broke some vertabre. A peasant man managed to help him to safety. Luckily my grandfather lived through this WWII event and had a wonderful life.


Luca J. Lomunro's Story

Army, Artillery Man in the 24th Infantry. KIA when his position was overrun by Chinese troops.


John Francis Long's Story

John Francis Long was in Company A, 9th Armored Infantry Battalion. I believe that he was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. His Enlisted record and report of seperation states: Good conduct medal, Purple Heart GO #1 20 JAN 45 European African Middle Eastern theater campaign Ribbon Victory Medal.


John W. {Jack} Longwitz's Story

Army, Dad was KIA during a night firefight. He was also awarded the Silver Star for the action. He had previously fought in WWII ETO with the 269th Field Artillery until January '45 and then with Co F, 2nd Ranger Batalion. He was also awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in 1945 with 2nd Ranger. Other awards were: Combat Infantry Badge (2nd award), Bronze Star, GCM, and the various WWII ETO and Korean War campaign medals.


Ernest Grier Lord, II's Story

During an action against the German's, Grandpa was wounded but refused to leave his post. He went on firing until he passed out from loss of blood. Afterward, he managed to crawl to a medic through a barrage of enemy artillary fire. When he got to the medic, they had to cut his pants up and they were so soaked with blood, they were able to stand up on their own.


Glenn Alan Lovett's Story

Army, The last of the class of 65 to go to Vietnam and the only one in our class to give the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Logan Hills High School, Zanesfield, Ohio.


Floyd A. Lowe's Story

Army Air Corps, Sgt. Lowe was crew member on a B-17 heavy bomber, he was killed in action on October 8th, 1943 when a 20 millimeter cannon shell hit the aircraft causing it to explode over Bremen, Germany. This information was verified by two soldiers who witnessed his death.


Kenneth Walter Lowe, II's Story

First Event

Event on 10 Feb 1968 3rd platoon A troop 3/5 Cav 9th infantry was on a road run on Highway 1 just south of Xwan Loc Vietnam and just north of LZ Apple when it came under heavy enemy fire. Ken Lowe was driving ACAV 33 when it was destroyed by a command detonated mine splitting the platoon in two with the wreckage of the ACAV. Crewmember Leroy "Daniel" Boone pulled Ken Lowe wounded and semi conscious, to safety just before a RPG went through the driver's compartment where Ken Lowe had just been. Crawling along side the road under heavy machine gun fire Ken and Leroy made their way back to ACAV's back in the column. The fire fight continued for over two hours until D troop helicopter gunships arrived with aerial support. After the fire fight finished Ken was sewn up by "Doc" Baleau and his wounds treated.

Second Event {Oak Leaf Cluster}

Event on 12 Feb 1968 was again on a road run just south of Xwan Loc during an ambush. Ken Lowe was manning the left M60 on the ACAV "32" and was shooting where an RPG had been shot from just missing the ACAV when Ken spotted another RPG position and had redirected his fire to this second position when again an RPG came from the original position and struck the M60 that Ken was shooting causing the M60 to blow up causing serious burns and shrapnel cuts on Kens face. That night Ken was treated by "Doc Clark". The next day Ken was air lifted to Long Bien hospital where he was treated for the cuts and burns. Unable to see for several weeks he was aided by Bill Hampstead who had been wounded with shrapnel in his shoulder just days earlier. After the hospital Ken recuperated back in base camp (Bear Cat) for a few weeks. Both Ken and Bill returned to duty and went on to serve with A troop in the north in the Dong Ha to Hue area in March 1968 through till January 1969.


Edwin A. Luczaj's Story

I am copying this from the book "A Private's Eye View of WWII" by Ralph "Zig" Bouroughs. (BPB Publications, Charleston SC, 1987.) Zig wrote about the incident after interviewing my father. The information is in the chapter titled "AWOL from the Hospital to the Front Lines", on pages 85-86.

Luczaj jumped into a hot bed of Germans who were shooting at the paratroopers as they descended and after they landed. He was lying on his side unhooking his parachute when a tracer bullet zinged through his side leg pocket which contained a white phosphorus grenade. He felt a burning sting against his thigh and knew he had to get rid of that grenade fast. Quickly Ed pulled out his jump knife and ripped open the pocket, grabbed the grenade, and gave it a heave. It exploded in a fiery ball on impact. Both of his hands were badly burned. If fact, all of his fingernails were burned off.

(The book goes on to recount that on D-Day +3, the paratroopers met up with the troops who had stormed through the beaches, and Dad was sent to the field hospital. But after a day or so, he felt he was wasting his time, and hitchhiked back to the front. When he later showed up at a first aid station to get the soiled bandages changed, the doctor ensured that this time, Dad was taken directly to a ship bound for England.)


Raymond K. Luczaj's Story

82nd Airbourne, my father received 3 Purple Hearts while serving with the 505th PIR, 1st Bn., Co. B. I know he was wounded in Sicily, Normandy and during the Battle of the Bulge.


Martin A. Ludwig's Story

First Marine Division, Recipient is a member of the Roseburg Chapter 549 Military Order of the Purple Heart. At our next meeting will get a roster of the members and ask if they would care to be listed.


William F. Luther's Story

Army, Though wounded he continued to lead his men until Evacuated also awarded a Silver Star.


Nicholas Lutzie's Story

Sgt. Lutzie received the Silver Star during the invasion of Bench Mark Hill in the Linguyan Valley next to Question Mark Hill. He was a member of the 33rd infantry Illinois National Guard Division.


George Reed Lyne's Story

His platoon jeep drove over a landmine. We are trying to determine his unit, date of actual arrival in France, and his general assignment at the time of his death. Grandmother has lost all service records due to senility and military records lost in 1973 St. Louis fire.


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