The US Army Volunteer Reserve has selected SFC Troy McDaniel Sr. of McNairy County, TN to be the Veteran of the Month for this area of Tennessee.
SFC McDaniel, born in 1923 joined the CCC when he was 16 years old. While there he attended cook and baker’s school in Sheffield, Alabama. Upon graduation from the school he enlisted in the US Army and was sent to Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia for his basic training. Immediately after finishing basic training he joined the 82nd Airborne Division and was assigned to a glider regiment as a cook.
During WWII he was in six campaigns from North Africa to Northern Europe and never was wounded. Even though he was a cook, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge during the Normandy invasion. After being discharged from the service at the end of the war, he joined the Tennessee National Guard and served for thirty years.
Among his decorations are the Combat Infantry Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation, the North African Campaign Ribbon, the European Campaign Ribbon with six battle stars and the European Occupation Ribbon.
He also worked in civilian life in the petroleum construction business and is now retired.
November 17, 1945 he married Pauline Ashe of McNairy County Tennessee and they have been married for 56 years. They have five children, ten grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren plus a host of friends.
For being selected as Veteran of the Month, SFC McDaniel will receive a nice frameable certificate. A letter of appreciation from McNairy County Executive Mike Smith, a letter of appreciation from Senator Robert Rochelle, a write up in the 4th Brigade USAVR News, and a write up on the web. He will become a honorary member of the USAVR and receive their news letter for one year an appointed the rank of SFC (E7), plus a WWII Freedom Metal.
Thank you SFC McDaniel for your unselfish service to this country.
William E. Huff
BG
USAVR