103rd Cactus Division

EDWARD L. FRENCH  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Born March 19, 1923 and grew up in Winchester, MA. 
Enlisted in the Army on July 6, 1942. 
Attended Tank Destroyer School at Camp Hood, TX 
and ASTP at the University of Oklahoma. 
Served as antitank gun crewman and squad leader 
in antitank platoon, Headquarters Company, 
1st Battalion, 411th Infantry.  Fought in 
Vosges Mountains campaign through Brenner Pass 
into Italy. Wounded December 21, 1944. 
Returned to the States with the 45th Division 
and was discharged November 5, 1945 as 
staff sergeant. 
Married Maryel Finney in 1947. In addition to 
four sons from his first marriage, raised a son, 
daughter, and three stepsons with his second wife, 
Phyllis Brown. A hardwood lumberman all his 
business life. Died in 1986 on his farm in Albany, NH.

Combat Infantryman’s Badge

Good Conduct Purple Heart Bronze Star ETO Victory
"On 6 March 1945, near Rothbach, France, when the anti-tank platoon positions were subjected to heavy mortar
fire, Sergeant French discovered a camouflaged armored car being used by the enemy as an observation post.
Ordering his squad to remain covered, he personally manned his gun, under fire from the enemy, and scoring
four direct hits at a range of 1200 yards, he silenced the enemy fire. His actions...enabled a rifle company and
his platoon to secure the battalion's defenses..."
Headquarters 103d Infantry Division, Office of the Commanding General, General Orders No. 210 (23 July 1945)

411th, 1st BN HQ Company In New York, City
Last celebration before shipping out.
2nd from left - John Menchhofer
Far right - Edward L. French