BRONZE STAR TO LT. VAN FLEET, NOW IN AUSTRIA
Lt. James K. Van Fleet of Webster City has been awarded the bronze star medal for “meritorious service in action against the enemy,” according to an announcement made by Maj. Gen. William F. Dean, commanding general of the 44th Division of the Seventy Army in Austria.
Lieutenant Van Fleet won the bronze star for combat achievement with the 44th in the campaign that saw the division fight its way from Luneville, France to the Rhine, across Germany, then deep into Austria, and climaxed on VE-day with the 44th making contact with the Fifth Army, fighting in Italy, along the Italian border. The 44th Division is now stationed in the Austrian Tyrol.
Lieutenant Van Fleet’s wife, the former Belva Fowler resides in Webster City.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, June 13, 1945
James Keith Van Fleet was born Aug. 14, 1918 to Robert Cheney and Zella M. Roland Van Fleet. He died June 8, 2003 in Orlando, FL.
Ret. Lt. Col. James Keith Van Fleet is buried in Florida Memorial Gardens.
Col. Van Fleet also served in Korea. During his military career he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantry Badge with a star that signified infantry combat in Europe and Korea, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Source: ancestry.com
