Louis E Napier
Born: 17 Feb 1923 Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Enlistment date: 06 Jan 1943
Deployments: Europe
Units: 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Rank: Sergeant
Specialisations:
Qualifications: Combat Infantryman’s Badge
Decorations: World War II Victory Medal, EAME Theater Medal with 3
Bronze Star and 1 Bronze Arrowheads, Presidential Unit Citation,
Distinguished Unit Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Belgian Fourragere,
Netherlands Orange Lanyard. German Occupation Medal
Discharge Date: 1945
Other Information: Louis was born in Seymour, Missouri, but during
the depression, his family moved to Springfield, MO to make ends
meet and where he met his wife and married in 1941. He enlisted in
the Airborne because he wanted to be the best that he could be,
while the additional hazardous duty pay helped support his family.
Louis joined the E Company, 2nd Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry
Regiment and was shipped overseas to Africa and then onto Italy
where he took part in the amphibious assault at Anzio.
Italy was a gruelling experience for the 504th and they were held
back to support General Mark Clarke’s efforts while other elements
of the 82nd Airborne were returned to the UK to prepare for
Operation Overlord. When finally withdrawn from Italy, the 504th PIR
needed time to recover and absorb replacements. Accordingly, Louis
did not jump into Normandy. His first combat jump took place in
Holland where he jumped in the area around Grave. On return from
Holland, along with the rest of the 82nd Airborne Louis found
himself thrust into the Battle of the Bulge, trucked near Webomont
and pushed into the line to defend the key area of Trois Ponts.
After the Bulge was eliminated, Louis and the 504th PIR pushed
towards Germany and finally all the way to Berlin itself, where he
served in occupation duty with the 82nd Airborne, before finally
returning to the USA and civilian life. On return, Louis moved to
Olathe Kansas where he settled down with his wife and became a
carpenter.
