Training Camps

   . .

 . . Forrest L. Loflin, son of Mr.. and Mrs.. F. L. Loflin. 3241 Northwest Fifteenth street, has won his wings as a parachutist at Camp Mackall, N,C. where he is now in combat training.

[The Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, OK, 12 Sep 1943, Sun, Page 17]

Sgt. Forrest L. Loflin of 3241 NW 15. is a communication sergeant with the 508th parachute infantry regiment in southern France. He wears the Combat Infantry Badge. Purple Heart, the Presidential Citation and four battle stars. His wife, Mrs. F. L. Loflin. lives at the above address.

[The Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, OK, 16 Sep 1945, Sun, Page 12]

Two City Buddies Stay Together During War

   Two Oklahoma City friends who fought the war together in the 101st airborne division returned together Friday night. Pvt. Frederick K. Hall, son of Mr. and Mrs. George O. Hall, 3609 NW 24, and Sgt. Forrest Laurence Loflin, whose wife lives at 3241 1/2 NW 15, both wearers of the Purple Heart, will be discharged on points.
  Hall was wounded in Bastogne December 29 and spent four months in a hospital in England. Loflin was injured in the air invasion of Holland. Later the two buddies shared the same box-car in France and made the trip into Germany together. Again they were traveling companions when they returned to the States on the same ship. Lawrence was overseas 21 months. Fred 16.

[The Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, OK, 22 Sep 1945, Sat, Page 14]

[Jumpmaster note:  There appears to be some erroneous reporting as Forrest was never in the 101st and we have no record of Frederick K. Hall being in the 508th.]

(courtesy of "Isabel")

Grave marker for Forrest L. Loflin in Fairview Cemetery, Apache (Caddo county), Oklahoma.

Forrest registered for the draft ca 1942 and was inducted into the Army on 1 October 1942,

Pvt Loflin was transferred from the Reception Center, Fort Sill, OK to Company B, 508th PIR on 22 October 1942.

while Pvt Loflin came through there Normandy campaign unharmed, he was reporter missing in action in Holland on 19 September.  His status was changed to wounded in action, 22 September.

Pvt Loflin returned to the company on 22 October but was immediately transferred to service Company for light duty.  He was transferred back to Company B on 16 January 1945, probably onto the front line in Belgium.

On 11 February he was evacuated to afield hospital classed as a non-combat" injury.  He was transferred to the hospital's Detachment of Patients on 31 May 1945 and then to the 513th PIR on 18 August 1945.

Sgt Loflin was discharged on 21 September 1945.

His military decorations include the Bronze service Arrowhead device awarded for participation in Normandy assault.