In 1942, Robert J. Dole enlisted in the Army Reserves, originally intending to keep his career path of being a doctor and trained with the Army Medical Corps. After being stationed in Louisiana and Kentucky, Robert J. Dole went to Officer Candidate School and graduated as a Second Lieutenant Infantry in 1944 having given up his medical aspirations. He would then be sent to Italy as a replacement for the 10th Mountain Division where he would be involved in combat, becoming severely injured shortly after he got there. Having been hit with shrapnel in the shoulder, Lieutenant Dole would be sent back to the United States where he would spend time in the Percy Jones Army Medical Center battling for his life. Lieutenant Dole was awarded a Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster and valor device and a Purple Heart for his courageous actions in battle and would eventually regain use of his left arm and legs. Both this commemorative medal and brick honor the sacrifices that Senator Dole made.

Discussion Questions

• Put yourself in Bob's shoes, would you have joined the military after Pearl Harbor?

  • Why or why not?

• What similarities exist between his decision then and a modern-day soldier enlisting?

• How does a soldier earn a Bronze Star or a Purple Heart?

Where am I?