E. D. Harkins, as he was known to his friends and family in Clay County, spent the entire 25 years of his life in this county, with the execption of the last three years and three months he spent in the service of his country. Born in Clay County in 1919, Mr. Harkins joined the army at the age of 22 in September, 1941, three months before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II.

Private Harkins spent the first two years of his military service on the island of Bermuda before being transfered to the southwest Pacific. Assigned to the 307th Regiment of the 77th Infantry Division, Private First Class Harkins first saw combat in July, 1944, in the battle for Guam. After the defeat of the Japanese on Guam in November, 1944, Private Harkins and the 77th Division were ordered to participate in the retaking of the Philippines under the command of General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur.

Joining the battle in November, 1944, Private Harkins was involved in bitter fighting on the Philippine Island of Leyte. By mid-December, 1944, the 77th Infantry Division has retaken Ormoc and was moving on Palompson, the enemy's last remaining port on Leyte. During this operation, on December 20, 1944, Private First Class Elias D. Harkins was killed in action.

The Commanding Officer of the 307th Infantry, Captain Ralph B. Larose, recalled the event of Private Harkins death in a letter to his parents:

"It happened that Elias and his platoon had been advancing when we were caught in a pocket by a much larger enemy force than we had anticipated. Realizing that it was impossible to move forward, we started a movement to a rear position where we could set up and consolidate new lines. It was at this time that Elias was killed. His memory will live in the hearts of a grateful nation."

Ralph B. Larose
Captain
307th Infantry
Commanding Officer