Before entering the Army, Blane Archer worked as a farmer with his father on a 460 acre farm in western Oklahoma. The farm raised cotton, corn, alfalfa, wheat, oats, and he drove a tractor and other equipment including: combine, plow mowing machine, lister, corn planter, wheat drill, harrow, disc and cultivators. In addition, the farm had 100 head of beef cattle and 50 head of hogs. Blane Archer enlisted the U.S. Army July 20, 1942, and entered his service August 1, 1942, as a Private (PVT) Infantryman. After four months, he was promoted to Private First Class (PFC) rifleman where he served for two years. After being wounded in combat as a rifleman, he was made a truck driver for the final five months of his service. Blane's military occupation listed on his Army Separation Record is "Truck Driver, Light." He drove a 2 1/2-ton truck, hauling bombs and supplies over all types of roads during all kinds of weather. Blane made minor repairs on his truck, greased and washed the truck, hauled rations and ammunition. He served a total of 29 months overseas in England, North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium and Germany. He received the Purple Heart, four Battle Stars, and Distinguished Unit Citation Badge. Adapted from Army Separation Record, see attached documents.