Cann was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at LSU . From 1943 until 1945 , he was a paratrooper , unit commander , and staff officer with the 101st Airborne Division in the European Theater of Operations , with participation at Normandy , the Battle of the Bulge , and other locations . In 1946 , he became an aide de camp with the 82nd Airborne Division to Major General James M. Gavin , who was known for his unleashing of paratroopers during World War II . After the war , Cann served in many military capacities including the training of Turkish troops headed to the Korean War . He received many military commendations : the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals , both with Oak leaf cluster , World War II Victory Medal , the Combat Infantryman Badge , the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal , and the Presidential Unit Citation . He retired from the Army in 1956
World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal (United States)
William Derwood Cann Jr.