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Wilkes County Veterans History Project: Gwyn Hampton Elledge

Gwyn on base in Germany

Glenna (front right) next to Gwyn (in uniform)

with family

Gwyn with Army buddies

(standing to the left of the totem pole)

Gwyn and Glenna (on the right)

next to a close Army friend and wife.

Gywn in Germany with the "mail horses".

Gwyn in Germany

Gwyn in Germany

Gwyn in Germany

Gwynn's medals

Gwynn's burial flag

 German bayonets

that Gwyn brought back from overseas.

Glenna V.C. Elledge

Glenna and Keith

Keith with high school baseball trophy.

submitted by Keith Elledge

Gwyn Hampton Elledge was born on June 17, 1920, and lived to be 92 years old (died December 17, 2012). 

He participated in World War II as a Tech 5. He spent time in the Mobi Desert, France, and Germany, to fight the Nazis.  

Following his service years, he met and married his wife, Glenna.  Together they had a son, Keith, born on January 13, 1953.   Keith remembers his father's encouragement growing up and how he always supported his dream of becoming a professional baseball player.  Keith was drafted to Vietnam, but three days before he was to leave, Nixon stopped the war.  The draft for service knocked Keith out of playing baseball with the Chicago White Sox.

Late in life, Gwyn suffered from PTSD and recurring nightmares about his fight for life on Normandy Beach.  While under Nazi attack, Gwyn started to dig a foxhole with his hands.  He served under General Patton's leadership, as the 3rd Army swept across France, capturing town after town. "Keep on advancing… whether we go over, under, or through the enemy," Patton told his troops. He was nicknamed "Old Blood and Guts" due to his ruthless drive and apparent lust for battle.  Gwyn carried a 50 lb. backpack and heavy weapon.  He recalled falling in behind and shooting all along the beach. The bodies looked like dead crows from left to right as far as he could see. 

Gwyn drove a tractor trailer for Holly Farms and later retired with Jenkins Wholesale.  He also served as a deacon at Cricket Baptist Church for many years, until he passed away.