Edward (Sonny) R. Rooney

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Army

Edward R. Rooney (Sonny)

Mr. Rooney entered the Army on May 9, 1944, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Duluth, Minnesota.

He served as a Private First Class and paratrooper with the 82nd Air Borne, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment in Rhineland and Central Europe. He served with the Chestnut Anti-Tank Honor Guard Company in Berlin, Germany.

The Gliders, which brought him into Germany were easy targets for the Germans to shoot down. He thought he captured an important German soldier but turned out to be a "doorman".

He was awarded the following: Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze battle stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal-Germany, Glider Badge, Parachutist Badge, and two overseas bars.

Mr. Rooney was honorably discharged on April 22, 1946, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 365.