World War II Honoree

James F. Ramaekers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bayard, Iowa

Honored By

James Ramaekers

Relationship

Self

HE TOOK BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP FANNIN, TEXAS AND ADDITIONAL INFANTRY TRAINING AT FORT RILEY AND CAMP FUNSTON, KANSAS AND FORT ORD, CALIFORNIA. HE DEPARTED FROM CALIFORNIA TO THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AND ARRIVED IN MANILA AND SERVED WITH THE 345TH ORDNANCE DEPOT COMPANY FOR 4 MONTHS AND RE-ENLISTED IN THE REGULAR ARMY IN THE PHILIPPINES. HE THEN SERVED WITH THE 336TH ORDNANCE DEPOT COMPANY AS A HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR AND REPAIR FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10 MONTHS IN MANILA. HE ALSO SERVED AS MOTOR POOL SERGEANT AND TRUCK DRIVING INSTRUCTOR AND OFTEN WORKED WITH AND INSTRUCTED JAPANESE PRISONERS OF WAR. HE DEPARTED THE PHILIPPINES ON NOVEMBER 3, 1946 AND ARRIVED IN THE U.S. ON NOVEMBER 26, 1946. HE RECEIVED THE EXPERT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE RIBBON AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.