World War II Honoree

Wilbert Curtis Fletke

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Detroit, Michigan

Honored By

Wilbert Curtis Fletke

Relationship

Self

HE ENTERED THE SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1943 AS A MEDIC IN THE 332ND FIELD ARTILLERY, WITH THE 86TH INFANTRY 'BLACK HAWK' DIVISION. QUALIFIED FOR TRANSFER TO THE ARMY AIR FORCE IN OCTOBER 1943 AS AN AIR CADET. WHEN THAT PROGRAM CLOSED IN JUNE,1944 HE WAS THEN ASSIGNED TO THE 76TH FIELD HOSPITAL FOR TRAINING AS A SURGICAL TECHNICIAN. THE 76TH FIELD HOSPITAL PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA IN APRIL 1945, THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES IN AUGUST 1945, OCCUPATION OF HOKKAIDO, JAPAN IN OCTOBER 1945. HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN JANUARY 1946 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS WITH THE RANK OF TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE. AWARDED THE AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON WITH 1 BATTLE STAR, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON, 2 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.