Private Rufus H. Lennon Jr.

Rufus H. Lennon Jr. was born in 1921 on an unknown date in Manatee County[1], Florida to his father Rufus Sr. and mother Bertha. Lennon lived at 105 4th Avenue in the Bradenton area.[2] Lennon spent most of his life in Manatee County as census records show that he was living in Manatee both in 1930 and 1940.[3] Rufus attended grammar school at the very least.[4] Before the war, he was an attendant at gas stations and parking lots.[5] Records show the Rufus never married.[6]  

Lennon’s military legacy came from his father Rufus Lennon Sr. who served in the United States Military during World War I and achieved the rank of Sergeant.[7] Lennon Sr. moved to Florida from North Carolina sometime before World War I.[8] His wife Bertha was born in South Carolina in an unknown city and her birth was recorded in Charleston.[9] Lennon Jr. was the second oldest of Rufus and Bartha’s four children. At the time of the 1940 Censes Lucille who was twenty, Juanita who was fourteen, and Dallis Lennon who was nine.[10]

On November 21, 1940, Lennon enlisted into the United States Army at the age of nineteen.[11] He was part of the 45^th Infantry Division in the 180^th Infantry Regiment.[12] The 45^th Infantry was based mainly in Oklahoma City as the division was part of the Oklahoma Army National Guard.[13] The 45^th was formed in 1924 and created their own patch honoring Native Americans with the symbol of a swastika.[14] The symbol of the group was changed later due to the association of the swastika[15] with Nazi Germany and they became known instead as the “Thunderbirds.” The 45^th fought in various places in Europe during World War II including Italy and France.[16]  Lennon’s unit made a landing in southern France and were ordered to march to Germany. While in France, Private Lennon died in battle on September 21, 1944.[17] The circumstances surrounding Lennon’s death are unclear as there was no major battle during that time.[18] Shortly after his death the “Thunderbirds” participated in fighting in Epinal, France.[19] The 45^th was tasked with crossing the Moselle River in order to take Epinal and arrived in the city on September 25, 1944.[20] For his brave service Lennon received a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory