In the first years of World War II, Cecil L. Conners was an employee of Carnegie Steele in Gary, IN, where he lived with his wife, Opal, and two young sons, Robert and Bill. After being drafted, Conners was inducted into the U.S. Army in January 1944 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, in Indianapolis, IN. After completion of basic training he was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
PFC Conners landed by glider in the assault on Holland in Operation Market Garden, on 17 September 1944. His primary weapons were the M-1 rifle and the Bazooka antitank rocket launcher, which he used to provide heavy fire against enemy emplacements and armored vehicles. Conners was wounded in action by enemy artillery on 24 December 1944 during the Battle of Bastogne in Belgium. The wound resulted in the loss of his right leg.
PFC Cecil L. Conners was Honorably Discharged on 29 September 1945 at Percy Jones Hospital Center at Fort Custer, Battle Creek, MI.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Medal
American Theater Campaign Medal
European, African, Middle Easter Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Campaign Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge
