World War II Honoree

Alfred Lawrence Conte

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oakmont, Pennsylvania

Honored By

His Children

ENLISTED IN THE REGULAR U.S. ARMY ON DECEMBER 8, 1941. ASSIGNED TO THE 26TH INFANTRY DIVISION, WHICH WAS ORDERED TO COASTAL PATROL DUTY ON LONG ISLAND SOUND AND THE OPEN WATERS OF THE ATLANTIC. TRANSFERRED TO ARMY ENGINEERS AT CAMP CLAIBORNE, LOUISIANA. NOVEMBER 1942, ASSIGNED TO ENGINEER OFFICERS TRAINING, FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA. GRADUATED FROM OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL IN MARCH 1943 AND REPORTED TO THE 1871ST ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION AS A PLATOON COMMANDER. OCTOBER 1943, SHIPPED OUT FOR DUTY IN PACIFIC THEATER. SERVED WITH 1871ST IN NEW GUINEA AND ON LEYTE AND LUZON ISLANDS, THE PHILIPPINES. IN AUGUST 1945 WAS ABOARD AN LST READY FOR THE INVASION OF JAPAN WHEN THE ATOMIC BOMBS WERE DROPPED. NOVEMBER 1945, ESCORTED BATTALION TO THE STATES FOR DEACTIVATION. REASSIGNED TO GREENVILLE ARMY AIR BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA. AWARDED AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 CAMPAIGN STARS, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL, PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL.