World War II Honoree

Walter C. Hale

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 6, 1942 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI. TRAINED AS A HEAVY TRUCK DRIVER AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON OCTOBER 12, 1943 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. DEVELOPED MOBILE RADIO AND RADAR OPERATOR SKILLS IN THE FIELD WITH THE 319TH BOMB GROUP AND SERVED AS SUCH AT AIRFIELDS ON GUADALCANAL, NEW GUINEA AND IN THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE 1ST CLASS FROM THE 493RD BOMB SQUADRON ON DECEMBER 25, 1945 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.