Ernest Purvis

Birthplace: Cambridge, Nebraska

Branch of Service: Army

Unit: 358th

Theater of Operation: European

Enlisted / Commissioned: Oct 20, 1942

Discharged: Feb 2, 1946

Honored By: Tom Purvis (son)

Dad left to go overseas from one coast and returned on the other. He was in China, Burma, India, Egypt and Africa.
He operated a truck and road equipment repair facility. Most of the time he was a welding and repair instructor where he taught Indian and US soldiers to weld and repair the vehicles necessary for the war. One thing he discussed was how many trucks were needed to transport supplies over the China-Burma Road. They even made motor scooters from scrap parts and junk generator engines. They used these to transport parts and go into Calcutta for meals on occasion. He often told how hot and rainy it was in Burma and how hot and dry it was in Africa. He never cared for ship transportation where he saw several Japanese suicide planes hit ships and get shot down. Just like others honoring someone, I feel Dad made a difference in how this War ended.