World War II Honoree

George E. Harrison

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Randall McDaniel

Relationship

Great Nephew

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON OCTOBER 21, 1942 AT FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF COOK’S HELPER (590). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JULY 23, 1944 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATED BRIEFLY IN THE NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN WITH HIS ORIGINAL UNIT AND LATER RE-ASSIGNED TO COMPANY G, 383RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, 96TH ‘DEADEYE’ INFANTRY DIVISION WHICH TRAINED IN HAWAII BEFORE ENTERING COMBAT BETWEEN TANAUAN AND DULAG IN LEYTE GULF, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON OCTOBER 20, 1944. CONTINUED FIGHTING THROUGH THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND RYUKYUS CAMPAIGNS, LANDING ON OKINAWA ON APRIL 1, 1945. EARNED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (AWARDED RETROACTIVELY), COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE ARROWHEAD (ASSAULT LANDING) AND 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON DECEMBER 20, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.