Willis Alvin Jarvis was born on June 3, 1917 to William Noah and Achsah “Flora” Whinery Jarvis. He was the eighth of ten children born to this couple. He was educated in both Logan and Lincoln counties of Oklahoma. Most of Willis’s schooling occurred in Logan County Schools, then finishing in Lincoln County when his family moved on to a farm south of Chandler, Lincoln County. “ I didn’t want anything to do with farming!” Willis has said on numerous occasions. After he graduated from the Chandler High-school in 1935 he left the farm to seek his fortune elsewhere. The Dust bowl and depression during this time did not make his task easy. He spent three years doing public works with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Colorado. Willis then delivered milk in Idaho Springs Colorado for three years before being drafted into the U.S. Army on March 17, 1941. He was assigned to William Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, Texas. There he was trained as a Medical Technician. Upon completion of his training he was assigned to the Hospital Staff as a ward nurse. In Feb 1942, Willis was transferred to Fort Wayne Station Hospital in Detroit Michigan, where he met his wife to be, Ann Hertzberg. From November 15, 1942 until January 15, 1943, he was assigned to Fort Benjamin Harrison General Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana for advanced medical training. On March 15, 1943 Willis was shipped to New York Port of Debarkation, where he joined with Airborne Troops for shipment overseas as a medical technician replacement. On April 26, 1943 their ship set sail for European Theater of Operations. They landed on May 10, 1943 in Northwest Africa near Casablanca. On May 20, 1943, Willis was assigned to the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division. From May 20, 1943 until November 1, 1943 he served with the 320th Tunica, Sicily, and Naples-Foggia, Italy, as a combat medic. Willis provided first aid medical treatment to all wounded causalities during these operations. Whenever necessary, he provided first aid and medical to civilians. Willis was transported into combat areas by gilder. He received his airborne training in Tunisia. On November 15, 1943, the 82nd left Italy for England to prepare for Operations OVERLORD. On the night of June 5, 1944 (just prior to D-Day), the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion assaulted by parachute and glider in the vicinity of St. Mere England (Normandy) in support of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment. For this action, the unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and French Croix de Guerre with palm. On June 15, 1944, Willis was wounded the second time and evacuated back to England for Medical treatment and recuperation. This prevented him form being with the Battalion when these two awards were awarded. In February 1945, Willis was returned to the United States for additional medical treatment before being discharged. After four months of hospitalization and treatment, he was honorably discharged on June 30, 1943. While serving with the 320th. Willis was awarded the following medals; Bronze Star; Purple Heart, with Cluster; Good Conduct Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Cedal; European African Medal Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars and one Arrow Head; World War II Victory Medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WW II:
