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Honoring PFC Cecil King

Private First Class Cecil King served with Company I, 411th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division from June 17, 1944, to November 15, 1945. He deployed to Europe in February 1945, joining the division during the final months of World War II.

As part of the Allied advance into Germany, King’s unit helped push through heavily defended territory, ultimately reaching the area around Landsberg am Lech in April 1945. There, the 103rd Infantry Division encountered and helped liberate multiple subcamps of Dachau Concentration Camp.

What they found left a permanent mark. Thousands had died from starvation, forced labor, and exposure. Survivors—many too weak to stand or eat—required immediate medical care. Soldiers who had been fighting a traditional war were suddenly confronted with the full reality of Nazi atrocities.

Accounts from men in King’s regiment describe the shock, grief, and horror of that moment. Food was carefully rationed by medics to avoid harming those who were starving. Local civilians were compelled to help bury the dead, ensuring the truth of what had happened could not be denied.

For many soldiers, including those who served alongside Cecil King, this experience defined the meaning of their service. They had not only fought to end a war—they had helped bring an end to unimaginable suffering.

Today, we honor PFC Cecil King’s service and sacrifice. The flag donated in his memory by his grandson, Brian King, which stands as a lasting tribute—not only to one soldier, but to all who served with courage and humanity in one of history’s darkest chapters.