World War II Honoree

William Harrison Murphy

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mason, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 18, 1942 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A CANNONEER AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JUNE 22, 1944. SAW ACTION IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH FOUR BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FROM BATTERY A, 949TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION ON DECEMBER 1, 1945 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.