Cyril Pershing Sorrels
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Mr. Sorrels served in World War II and in the Korean War. He served in the U.S. Army from April 3, 1942, until January 6, 1946, and again from November 1950 until May 1952.
His rank was Major.
He was decorated with 2 Purple Hearts and an Infantry Badge.
He was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of C. R. O. and Selma Sorrels.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran’s account (see below)
World War II I, Cyril Pershing Sorrels, entered the U.S. Army in April 1942, at the age of 23.
After basic training, I then went to Infantry Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia (November 1942 until February 1943). As a 2nd Lieutenant, I went to Camp Little Rock, Arkansas (February through April 1943). Then on to Camp Shenango, Pennsylvania, until July 1943.
At that time, I was shipped out on the luxury liner Mariposa: 10,000 troops sent to Casablanca, Morocco, Africa. We were transported by train to Bizerti, Algeria, [where we stayed] until the fall of 1943, when we went to Naples, Italy. I was on the front lines of the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division.
August of 1944, we made the invasion of southern France, went up through France into Germany until the war ended, May 5, 1945. I was in Turkheim, Germany, at the time, which was 20 miles from the borders of Italy and Austria.
October 1945 I returned to America on the Queen Mary and was in the hospital aboard ship all the way home. I was discharged January 6, 1946, as a Captain. I received 2 Purple Hearts for injuries received during World War II.
A Funny Story from the Front Lines
A very polite young recruit just joined the platoon and we were on a hill above Tendon, France. The mission was infantry protection for anti-tank guns on the hill. As the men dug in to their foxholes, Germans spotted us and started shelling the hill. The new recruit came running over to me saying, “Lt. Sorrels, what must we do? What must we do?” I replied, “Get back in your hold before you get hurt!” After a little experience, the young recruit became a pretty good soldier.
The Korean War In 1950, I was recalled for the Korean War. I reported at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on Thanksgiving Day. In March 1951, I left Seattle on the Liberty Ship where I was the mess officer. I arrived at Camp Chitose, Japan, in April, where I was in charge of maintenance for 4 months and for 7 months was the Motor Officer for the camp. The final 6 months I was on the Defense Council for the Court Marshall Board.
Upon arrival to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, in April 1952, I had a double hernia. I was released the end of May after my second hernia surgery.
Within months of my discharge, I was promoted to Major as part of the U.S. Army Reserves.
