A 76th Division Artilleryman's Uniforms Find Their Way to the Collection

SSgt L. H. Wilson was born in 1919. He entered in to the service on June 23, 1942 and was assigned to the 76th Division Artillery HQ Battery. He served his entire career with the 76th and was one of the high-pointers to catch the early ship back to the States. His battery earned the Meritorious Unit Citation for the thousands of rounds they rained down on the German Army during the war. The unglamorous life of a field artilleryman was full of hard, dirty work and long hours. However, countless 76th Division infantryman's lives were saved by the artillery's precision firepower. Wilson passed away in 1985. 

A Corporal joins the ranks of the 76th Division Collection. Bronze Star Medal recipient of the 417th.

Cpl. Daye was born in 1919 and enlisted in July of 1942 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served his entire time in combat in the ETO with the men of HQ-Co, 2nd Battalion, 417th Regiment in the 76th Infantry Division. He crossed the Sauer River in Echternach, Luxembourg with the rest of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 417th in the 76th's "Baptism by Fire".

For his meritorious service with the 76th's initial entry in to combat to V-E Day, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He also was the recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge. One of the highest honors for any ground-pounding rifleman. Upon the 76th Division deactivating in August of 1945, Daye was transferred to the 358th Regiment in the 90th Infantry Division. 

Upon his return home, Daye graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1950. He continued to work in accounting until retiring. Cpl Daye passed away in 1972 and is buried in Salem Cemetery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.