Military Records: Shepherd A. McConathy, 1947, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: May 23, 1947 Winnfield News-American

Shep McConathy is Awarded Medal at Recruiting Station

The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to Shepherd A. McConathy of Winnfield by the
commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division on May 10 in a ceremony at
Alexandria by Col. Frank Nelson, commanding officer of the Louisiana U. S.
Army Recruiting district.

The citation upon which McConathy's award is based read: "For meritorious
serviced in connection with military operations against the enemy, Okinawa, 26
May 1945."  The medal, a bronze star one and one-half inches in diameter,
bearing on the reverse side the inscription "Heroic of Meritorious
Achievement" and engraved with McConathy's name was awarded for his action in
the Okinawa campaign.

The 77th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Statue of Liberty" Division, to
which McConathy was assigned, started into the Okinawa campaign in April,
1945.  The 77th took Chocolate Hill, Sugar Loaf Hill, Shuri, and Naha and
continued the mop-up of scattered Japs after organized resistance ended on
Okinawa.  The celebrated Ernie Pyle, the Soldiers' Newspaperman, was with the
77th on Okinawa when he met his death in the field.

The ceremony of the award to McConathy was held at headquarters, Louisiana U.
S. Army Recruiting district, at 324 Johnson Street in Alexandria.  Members of
McConathy's family present at the ceremony were Mrs. Idell McConathy, his
mother, and his brother, Bobbie Joe McConathy, together, with two friends,
from Winnfield, Mrs. John Harper and Miss Kathleen Harper.