TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Alexander, Mark James

Date of birth:
January 23rd, 1911 (Lawrence/Kansas, United States)
Date of death:
May 21st, 2004 (Campbell/California, United States)
Service number:
O-411615
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Transferred on D-Day +10 from 505th Regiment to 508th Regiment as Regimental Executive Officer by order of General Ridgeway. Retired as a Colonel.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Citation unavailable.

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 3 (1944).
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Mark J. Alexander, O-411615, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious service in connection with military activities against the enemy for the period 20 September 1944 to 2 January 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, Base Commander, France, established now camps in France for the 82d Airborne Division while it was in combat in Holland. He administered and organized the camps and accomplished the reception of troops in a highly efficient manner. Faced with numerous and complex problems and a meager staff from the United Kingdom Bases of the Division, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander executed the tremendous assignment with outstanding skill and initiative. When the 82d Airborne Division was unexpectedly committed in Belgium his invaluable assistance helped expedite that unprecedented displacement of a reinforced Division into combat in less than twenty four hours. After its departure, he operated the two Airborne camps for the successive tenancy of two Divisions, and an Army Headquarters. His intelligent and determined efforts in a period of critical troop movements were material factors in the successes of the 82d Airborne Division and other major organizations which stopped the German surprise offensive in Belgium. Entered military service from Kansas.

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 35 (1945).
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)

Sources

Photo