World War II Honoree

W. D. Gazaway

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Atlanta, Georgia

Honored By

Leona Gazaway

Relationship

Wife

ENTERED ARMY AT FORT MCPHERSON, GEORGIA, NOVEMBER 15, 1942. SENT TO THE 13TH ARMORED DIVISION, CAMP BEALE, CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNED TO THE 46TH ARMORED REGIMENT FOR BASIC TRAINING. LATER JOINED THE 59TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION AND WENT TO CAMP BOWIE, TEXAS FOR FURTHER TRAINING AS A RADIO OPERATOR. NOVEMBER 1945, WENT TO ENGLAND AND ON TO FRANCE, MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR BILLETING AND VEHICLES FOR THE 46TH ARMORED DIVISION. SERVED AS MESSAGE CENTER CHIEF . PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE OF THE RUHR POCKET. JOINED THE 3RD ARMY UNDER GENERAL GEORGE PATTON. MOVED ACROSS SOUTHERN FRANCE INTO AUSTRIA. AFTER GERMAN SURRENDER, RETURNED TO CAMP COOKE TO PREPARE FOR THE INVASION OF JAPAN. ORDERS FOR JAPAN WERE CANCELED AFTER THE SURRENDER, AUGUST 1945. AWARDED GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, LETTER OF COMMENDATION. DISCHARGED NOVEMBER 21, 1945 FROM CAMP COOKE, CALIFORNIA, AS A STAFF SERGEANT.