World War II Honoree

Chester E. Winchester

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mason, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 4 AUGUST 1944 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A RIFLEMAN AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 8 JANUARY 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED AS A REPLACEMENT TO COMPANY A, 315TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 79TH 'CROSS OF LORRRAINE' INFANTRY DIVISION AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED IN ACTION TWICE IN GERMANY WITHIN A ONE MONTH PERIOD. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON 30 DECEMBER 1945 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.