Joe Louis (Barrow) was induced into the U.S. Army on Jan. 14, 1942 at
Camp Upton, N.Y. On Sep. 9, 1942, he was rated an Athletic instructor
and stationed at Fort Meade, Md. and Camp Sibert, Ala. before going
overseas to Europe on Mar. 30, 1944. He served with the Special Services
Division for 14 months and entertained more than 2,000,000 soldiers by
his frequent boxing exhibitions and talks. For his "incalculable contribution
to the general morale," he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Sgt. Louis returned to the U.S. on Oct. 10, 1944 and was assigned to duty
both in Canada and Alaska. Following the end of the war, he was discharged at Camp Shanks, N.Y. on Oct. 1, 1945.
