American Legion Post 457 recently honored three of their World War II members with certificates thanking them for their service. In the attached photo from left to right are Bob Morris, James Krebs and Minor McGraw. Morris, who served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, was also recognized for 60 years in The American Legion. Krebs and McGraw served in the U.S. Army.
Morris served on active duty from 1943 to 1946, and at 23 became the commanding officer of LSM 115-1 Medium Landing Craft (also known as the “Super Mouse”), where he traveled through the Panama Canal and on to the Pacific Theater. Morris served in Pearl Harbor, Manila, Saipan and Okinawa. He participated in the occupation of Taku under Task Force 78, Operation Beleaguer. He separated from the reserves in 1952.
Krebs enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school graduation in 1943 with his twin brother Jack. After basic training in Fort Riley, Kan., advanced training in Mississippi and additional training at Fort Jackson, S.C., they were assigned to Patton’s 3rd Army and shipped out to England and on to France. The brothers were in the Battle of the Bulge. While serving as a bazooka team they were both awarded the Silver Star. In that battle, Jack was mortally wounded and died in Jim’s arms. Jim was wounded while helping his brother. After his wounds healed Krebs was sent to the 1135th Combat Engineers in Germany to build bridges for Patton’s tanks advancing on into Germany. Krebs was discharged in 1946.
McGraw entered the U.S. Army in 1943. After basic training and medical corps training he was assigned to Billings General Hospital in Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., for additional training. McGraw was then assigned to the 167th General Hospital in France where he served as a surgical technician until the end of the war. He returned stateside in 1945 and was discharged in 1946.

For additional information please contact Gene Fuller at rgenefuller@aol.com.