World War II Honoree

James B. Baird

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 4 AUGUST 1944 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 9 FEBRUARY 1945 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED AS A MESS SERGEANT WITH COMPANY B, 311TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION. SAW COMBAT IN THE RYUKYUS CAMPAIGN. EARNED A MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HONORABLE DISCHARGE AS A STAFF SERGEANT IN THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS ON 19 AUGUST 1946 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.