PYOTE ARMY AIR FIELD, March 20,-The Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded posthumously to Staff Sgt. Willard F. Cope of Fort Stockton at a special ceremony and review at Pyote Army Air Field Saturday. Sgt. Cope was killed in action in France and the medal was received by his sister, Mrs. Tommie L. Long of McCamey.

The award was presented by Lt. Col. Stanley M. Persons, deputy station commandant. Following the ceremonies a formal review of troops was held.

Sgt. Cope, a member of a field artillery unit, earned the award "for exceptionally meritorious achievement in performance of outstanding service against the enemy in ------ from June 9 to July 30, 1944 and for distinguishing himself by heroic achievements in connection with military operations against the enemy in ----- on August 1."

Born at Fort Stockton, Sgt. Cope was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Cope of Fort Stockton. Two brothers are in the service: Jack, with the Army Air Forces in Belgium; and Jess, with the Marines at Corpus Christi.

Sgt. Cope attended school at Fort Stockton and was graduated from Rankin High School. Before entering the service he worked in the oil fields in Upton County. He enlisted in 1941 and trained at Fort Sam Houston, Tex., and Camp McCoy, Wis. He went overseas in October, 1943 and had taken part in the invasion of France.