Harry A. Wold
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Harry A. Wold was called to active Army duty on November 13, 1941. He attended Officer Candidate School in 1942, and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in July 1942.
He was assigned as an instructor in military engineering. Promoted to First Lieutenant and assigned to Headquarters of the First Army in October 1943 in England. Assigned to the secret planning group of Gen. Omar Bradley's staff planning Operation Overlord for the invasion of Europe.
Mr. Wold was promoted to Captain in January 1944 and served as the courier between Gen. Bradley and Gen. Eisenhower's headquarters. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-plus-three and transferred to the 296th Engineer Combat Battalion commanding Company C.
He participated in road and bridge construction, mine field clearance, and infantry support. He transferred to the 1105th Engineer Combat Battalion as HQ Company Commander in February 1945. He served on occupation duty after VE Day clearing roads, demolition, refurbishing buildings for various military use in Berlin, and constructing POW, and DP camps. He returned to the U.S. in mid-October.
He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze battle stars, and World War II Victory Medal.
Mr. Wold was relieved from active duty on February 23, 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 344.
