Following the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor, 20 year-old Andrew A. Athens immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army in January of 1942.  Just 42 days after his enlistment, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Rising to the rank of Captain, he fought with Allied Forces in Europe and at the famous Battle of El-Alamein in Egypt with the British Eighth Army. In 1945, he was honored with the Bronze Star and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding military service. He received the highest awards from the countries of Belgium, Hungary and Greece for his leadership in the reconstruction of war torn cities, including the rebuilding of the transportation system in Hungary. Mr. Athens met his wife Louise DeCoster, while stationed in Belgium. They were married November 12, 1945, 66 years ago, at the only Greek
Orthodox Church in Brussels at that time.