Otis Eugene (Gene) Hull– Private to Private First Class.
Served with distinction in the Hq1 Battalion Intelligence Section (S2) from February 6, 1944 to July 3, 1944. Gene Hull was seriously wounded in Normandy ending his career in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and U.S. Army.
Gene Hull was an Hq1 “Hell’s Half Acre” survivor (See Chapter II, Combat Operations – Normandy).
Gene Hull was a distinguished member of the “Greatest of the Greatest Generation.”
Gene Hull was an outstanding, courageous soldier, a loyal comrade and a cherished friend. Gene Hull was awarded:
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Bronze Star Medal
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Purple Heart Medal
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Combat Infantry Badge
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Parachutist Qualification Badge with a star for a combat jump (Normandy)
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European African Middle Eastern Theatre of Operations (ETO) Medal with an Invasion Arrowhead and a battle star.
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Presidential Unit Citation
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French Fourragere
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Numerous defense medals including the European Victory Medal. Gene says.
“I entered the Army in March 1943 at Indianapolis, Indiana. After basic training at Camp Butner, North Carolina with the 75th Infantry Division, I grasped an opportunity to volunteer for parachutist training at Fort Benning, GA. Following several weeks of strenuous physical and mental conditioning, I made five parachute jumps, and on January 1, 1944 graduated as a qualified parachutist. [Notice, no time off, even for New Years Day.] I was shipped with a group of “casuals” to an Army Base near New
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