Pfc Vester Elsberry Simpson
Service# 37180680  
82nd Arborne/507th PIR
HQ 1/Company "B"


Pfc Simpson was born January 11. 1920 in Brent, Sequoyah County, 
Oklahoma and was killed in action on Saturday July 22, 1944 during the 
airborne invasion of Normandy.
 
Pfc Simpson is the son of  Tom B Simpson [b. 1875 in Arkansas and died 
btw 1926-1930] a farmer and the son of Emma Wiswell Simpson [b. 2/24/98 
in Ok and died unknown]  

The 1930 US Census for West Dolan, Cass County, Mo shows Vester 
residing on a farm with his stepfather, Elmer J Ball and mother, his brother 
Lester [b.1926 in Ar], his sister Thelma P [b.1922in Ar] and step-sister 
Bertha Ball [b. 1930 in Mo] 
.
No enlistment record for Pfc Simpson was found.

During Operation Neptune [June 6, 1944] Pfc Simpson parachuted from his 
C-47 Troop Transport airplane with Tail#43-15120, #34 in the Chalk, #11 in 
line. Simpson is listed on this jump-roster as a Pvt and is among 16 HQ1 
members.  
.
Pfc Simpson was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Croix de Guerre 
Unit Citation  [French], the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign 
Medal with one Bronze Service Star and Arrowhead, World War II Victory 
Medal,  WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button, Parachute Badge, Combat 
Infantryman Badge and the Presidential Distinguished Unit Emblem.
 
Pfc Simpson is interred at the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur 
Mer, France at   Plot 'D'   Row "2'   Grave '14'.