Private First Class Lawrence Wasdin Kirby, Jr. 38305830

Private First Class Lawrence Wasdin Kirby, Jr. 38305830 US Army Airborne KIA. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. Kirby, Sr., of Box 309, Route 2,Tyler, Texas, he was born January 16, 1917. He attended the Texarkana Public Schools, and was connected with the H. L. Hunt Oil Company prior to his entry December 28, 1942, into the armed forces, at the age of 25. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion HQ Company,  501st Parachute Infantry; trained at Toccoa and Fort Benning, Georgia; he received his wings; later served at Camp MacKall, North Carolina, and began overseas duty with the 101st Airborne Division, known as the “Screaming Eagle” in January, 1944. Private First Class Kirby participated in the Normandy invasion; and was first reported “missing” and was latter conformed Killed in action on June 6, 1944, at the age of 27. His awards include the Presidential Unit Citation, the European Campaign Ribbons with a Bronze Star for major battle, and Arrowhead, as well as the Purple Heart Medal (PHM) At the time of his death he had a son, Lawrence W. Kirby, III, who was eleven years of age.