Corporal Virgil Zimmerman served in the U.S. Army during World War II—from 1942 to 1945. He was part of the 91st Division, Army Engineers, and participated in the European and African Campaigns.
Americans came to liberate, not to conquer, to restore freedom and to end tyranny. —Inscription at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C.
Freedom is made possible because of the courage and selfless spirits of men and women like Corporal Zimmerman.
Corporal Zimmerman was born on a farm just west of Hopkins Switch, to Asa and Elizabeth Zimmerman, the youngest of 8 children. He married Aldena Tidball in April of 1937. He was working in El Dorado when he was drafted in 1942, leaving behind a baby daughter. His son was born while he was enroute to North Africa with the Army Engineers, 91st Division—who were soon to find themselves in Italy. Virgil spent the war driving a truck over the A
ppennines carrying supplies to the troops. He was discharged from the Army in 1945, and spent the rest of his life living and working in the El Dorado area (most notably Skelly Refinery).
He died in Wichita, KS, in April 1990.
U.S. Army
