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GILBERT H. COTTRELL


(courtesy of "gravefinder1")

Grave marker for Gilbert H. Cottrell (CSM, Ret.) in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Salem (Dent county), Missouri

Gilbert enlisted in the Army at Jefferson Barracks, MO on 4 November 1942.

Pvt Cottrell was assigned to Company B, 508th PIR and remained with that unit throughout WWII.

On 17 July 1943 he was promoted to T/5 and then on 20 March 1944 he was appointed to the grade of T/4.

T/4 Cottrell participated in the jump into Normandy on d-Day and was initially listed as MIA but  returned to duty as of 14 June.  He may have been one of the many who were mis-dropped and eventually found their unit after a few days.

On 21 July T/4 Cottrell sewed on the stripes of a sergeant.

Sgt Cottrell was wounded in action in Holland on 14 October 1944 and hospitalized.  He rejoined the company on 16 November.

Sgt Cottrell 's military decorations include the Purple Heart and the Bronze service Arrowhead device which was awarded for participation in Normandy assault.

He apparently remained in the army and achieved the rank of Command Master Sergeant.

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