Eugene Lewis Daniel, Jr.

Conflicts & Campaigns

• North Africa

Significant Duty Stations

• Chaplain, 2nd Battalion, 168th Regiment, 34th Infantry Division (Red Bull), 5th Army
• Camp Claiborne, Louisiana to Fort Dix, New Jersey via SS Santa Rosa to Belfast, Ireland to Scotland for training in "Amphibious Landings" via HMS Ettrick to Invasion North Africa at Algiers. Fought on way to Mount Lessouda, Tunisia by train to Tunis by airplane to Naples, Italy by truck to Stalag 7A near Munich, Germany. Moved to OFLAG 1X A/Z by train then returned to Stalag 7A in February 1943, transferred to Stalag Luft III in January 1944. Moved back to Stalag 7A by foot and train to avoid liberation by advancing Russian forces. Liberated by American forces Sunday, April 29, 1945.

Decorations & Citations

• Distinguished Service Cross Citation, Eugene L. Daniel, First Lieutenant. Chaplain then attached to the 168th Infantry for extraordinary heroism on 17 February 1943 in the vicinity of Mount Lessouda, Tunisia, during the withdrawal of the Infantry Battalion which he was attached, Chaplain Daniel assisted in carrying litters bearing our and enemy wounded. When the withdrawing column became surrounded by the enemy and it was impossible to carry the wounded further, he directed the litter bearers and first-aid men safely through the enemy lines and then returned to the wounded men to administer first aid even though he knew his act meant certain capture or possible death. Chaplain Daniel's acts were entirely voluntary and the bravery and heroism displayed reflect the highest traditions of his Corps. By Command of General Eisenhower /s/ Brig General E. L. Ford Chief of Staff, Silver Star Citation. For gallantry in action on the morning of November 8, 1942, during the initial assault on the city of Algiers, French North Africa, Chaplain Daniel voluntarily without regard for his own safety and under enemy machine gun and rifle fire, organized scattered elements of the 2nd Battalion, 168th Infantry and personally led them into action against an armed enemy in the vicinity of El Biar, Algeria. The bold and fearless action of Chaplain Daniel, above and beyond the call of duty, set a splendid example to all his men and demonstrated extraordinary courage and gallantry. Prisoner of War Medal; (reported his capture on February 17, 1943); European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal

Notes

Army serial number 07-306-618. Graduated Georgia Tech 1933. Doctor of Divinity from Columbia Presbyterian Theological Seminary 1936. Pastor of Cairo Presbyterian Church, Cairo, Georgia, before entering service. Stalag III location of "The Great Escape". On the night of March 24, 1944, 80 POWs escaped via a tunnel and all but three were recaptured. On Hitler's orders 50 prisoners were executed. Their cremated remains were returned to Stalag III. Chaplain Daniel and others conducted a memorial service for the dead prisoners. Ironically, the Germans sent an honor guard to the service for the men the Gestapo had executed. Burial; Sardis Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.