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| TEC 5 Leroy Cooper, 26th Infantry Regiment. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=16932519 |
Leroy Gilbert Cooper could have been 100 years old today.
He was born on March 22, 1917 in Missouri. His mother was also born in Missouri. His father was from Arkansas and worked as a carpenter. Roy had one older sister and four older brothers, plus a younger brother. By 1940 Roy had completed an 8th grade level of education and was working as a camp laborer.
Roy enlisted in the army on December 7, 1942, one year to the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He indicated he had completed three years of high school and had been working as a shipping clerk. He became a TEC 5 in the 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division.
The 26th Infantry Division arrived in France in September 1944. By early December it had advanced across the Saar River as part of General Patton's Third Army. It was called on to help repel the German attack during the Battle of the Bulge where it was engaged in actions against determined German resistance. Cpl. Cooper died on January 5, 1945, likely while his unit was involved in advancing on the Wiltz River.
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| Cpl. Cooper 104th Infantry Regiment was in the southeast position on this map just before his death. http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/7-8/7-8_24.HTM |
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| More detailed map provided by Fern Weis |
His remains were returned to be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
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From Fern Weis:
ReplyDeleteTEC5 Leroy C. Cooper was a member of L Company, 104th Infantry Regiment. He was a Liaison Agent with his Co (MOS 503). I researched in my Morning Reports of that Company and found him. At first, he was MIA on January, 5th 1945. KIA close to Roullingen, Luxembourg, 1 1/2 miles NE of Nothum. R.I.P. !!