CPT Wayland Clinton Hooks

courtesy of D. L. Melville

CPT Wayland Clinton Hooks was born 6 Jan 1922 in Maricopa County, Arizona to William Clinton and Edno O. (Smith) Hooks. His father was a salesman.  In 1940 both father and son were working as salesmen for Standard Oil Company and they reported a combined income of $3320.

Wayland volunteered for Army service in January 1942. Selected for officer training he was sent to England after graduating OCS and assigned to Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 116th Infantry where he was serving as Company Executive Officer on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944.  On that day he was ordered to assume duties as Battalion S-1 Officer. On 28 Jul 1944 he had a non-battle related injury and was sent to hospital.  He returned to the unit from the hospital on 31 Jul 1944. Wayland was promoted to CPT on 1 Aug 1944.  On 5 Aug 1944 he was again sent to hospital with a non-battle related injury but returned to be assigned as Commander C Company 116th Infantry on 11 Aug 1944. On 1 Sep 1944 he was wounded with shrapnel in the leg but remained on duty. On 3 Sep 1944, CPT Hooks was killed in action. CPT Hooks was awarded the Bronze Star medal

In 1949 CPT Hooks was repatriated and buried in the Mesa City Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.