World War II veteran Edward P. Hodge will serve as Grand Marshal of the 13th Annual Veterans Day Parade in Tuscumbia at 11am on Wednesday, November 11. Mr. Hodge fought in five invasions of Japanese controlled islands in the South Pacific Ocean in 1944 and 1945.

Mr. Hodge lives in the Rock Creek community of Colbert County with Virginia, his wife of 66 years, in the house where he was born. They were married only three days before he was shipped overseas. He is a grandson and great-grandson of Confederate soldiers whose pictures he proudly displays in his home.

He joined the army in January 1943 and trained with the old horse-mounted First Cavalry Division at Ft. Riley, Kansas. After further training with pack mules at Ft. Bliss, Texas, the division was sent to Australia. They took their saddles with the expectation of being mounted on Australian and New Zealand horses. But the division was soon converted to a mechanized cavalry unit and given infantry training. Hodge was assigned to a combat Military Police unit, served as a squad leader, and carried two revolvers and a carbine. From Australia the First Cavalry went to New Guinea to help drive the enemy from that big island.

Hodge then helped invade two of the Admiralty Islands and fought in the Battle of Los Negros. After that he took part in the invasion of Leyte in the Philippine Islands. There he saw General Douglas McArthur wade ashore and also helped liberate Americans, including General Wainwright, from Japanese prison camps. When the atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima and the war quickly ended, Hodge was on a ship ready to invade Japan.

The intensity of the fighting that this unsung Colbert County man endured is shown by the fact that 90% of his unit was killed in action. Hodge was struck in the shoulder by a rifle bullet and wounded also in the back by shrapnel, but he was not seriously injured. He personally killed 18 Japanese soldiers.

The Hodges lived in Ohio for many years where he owned car dealerships and ran for sheriff. They returned to the old home place in Colbert County in 1994. They have four sons and one daughter. Ed owns several antique automobiles, including a beautifully restored 1955 Studebaker sedan that he enters in car shows. He is a member of Colbert County Memorial Post No. 31 of the American Legion.

Parade entries are needed. All veterans and veterans' organizations are urged to participate. Both marching units and vehicles are welcome. Patriotic organizations, civic clubs, Scouts, church and school groups, public officials, and everyone are invited to help honor and support our veterans. There is no charge to enter the parade.

The line-up time for the parade is 10:30am. Participants should enter North Commons from Cave Street. A parade application is not required. But the Post would appreciate knowing who is entering the parade. Please call 381-2298. The event is sponsored jointly by American Legion Post No. 31 and the TVA Credit Union of Muscle Shoals.

A patriotic program will be held immediately after the parade on the front steps of the Courthouse, facing Main Street. Please bring a lawn chair. The American Legion will hold open house after the program. The Legion Hall is located at 110 North Main Street, Tuscumbia. The hall is upstairs, but a chair lift is available for the handicapped.