World War II Honoree

Raymond Persinger

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Steve Persinger

Relationship

Son

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 14, 1941 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A CLERK/TYPIST AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON APRIL 7, 1942 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS VIA ICELAND. SERVED IN COMBAT WITH THE SERVICE BATTERY, 19TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (105MM HOWITZER), 5TH INFANTRY DIVISION, ASSIGNED MOSTLY TO GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD ARMY. SAW ACTION THROUGH THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE AND ARDENNES CAMPAIGNS. AFTER BEING INJURED, RETURNED TO THE U.S. ON MARCH 10, 1945. EARNED THE MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A CORPORAL ON MAY 21, 1945 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.