Garfield Wilkinson’s memoirs replicate the activities of the 508^th PIR as depicted in the first chapters of this album. Of particular interest is Gar-field’s heroic action saving the life of his “tent” mate Jim Lutton during a night parachute jump. (See Chapter 1, The Beginning).  

Garfield participated in all of the regiment’s training exercises, maneuvers, and combat operations.

·        He parachuted into Normandy and fought heroically in “Hell’s Half Acre.”

·        He parachuted into Holland and led the battalion as a scout into the city of Nijmegen.

·        He fought tirelessly through the deep snows of the densely for-rested Ardennes, in the bitter cold,  to attack and destroy Siegfried Line fortifications.

·        He performed in the post war Occupation forces as a noncommissioned officer in the security force and honor guards  supporting General Eisenhower’s headquarters in Frankfurt, Germ-any. 

Garfield Wilkinson was an outstanding courageous patrol leader. He led numerous highly dangerous reconnaissance and combat patrols into and behind enemy line, always seeking and obtaining information about the identification of enemy forces in contact and their capabilities.

Garfield, consistently provided commanders with timely information, which contributed immeasurably to the decision-making process.

During his service in Hq1, Garfield Wilkinson earned the following awards and decorations:

·        Bronze Star Medal

·        Purple Heart Medal

·        Invasion Arrowhead

·        Combat Infantry Badge

·        Four Battle stars

·        Parachute Qualification badge with two stars for combat jumps (Normandy and Holland)

·        Presidential Unit Citation

·        French and Belgium Fourrageres

·        Orange Lanyard of the Royal Netherlands Army

·        Numerous defense medals including the Occupation Medal with Germany Bar.