Louis Barone
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Louis Paul Barone
Mr. Barone inducted into the Army on March 12, 1941, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Mountain Iron, Minnesota.
He served as a Sergeant and a tank crewman (gun commander) with Company C of the 753rd Tank Battalion of the First Armored Division.
He served in Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe.
He received the following: Bronze Star "for exceptional and meritorious service on March 25,1943 at Maknasey Pass, Tunisia. One of the vehicles was unable to move under its own power and had to be towed. Sgt. Barone volunteered to use his vehicle for this purpose and drove it to the position of the disabled vehicle. He dismounted and, under heavy, close and continuous enemy fire, coupled the two vehicles together. During this entire 15-minute operation he exposed himself to heavy enemy fire. His daring and courageous action prevented the destruction of a valuable piece of U.S. government property."
He also received the following: Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
While serving with the Fifth Army, visited with his 90-year-old grandmother and other relatives in a town near Naples, Italy.
Mr. Barone was honorably discharged on August 7, 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 32.
