World War II Honoree

Richard Colclasure

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 3, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A HEAVY MORTAR CREWMAN (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 1607). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MAY 13, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. AFTER CROSSING INTO THE CONTINENT ACROSS UTAH BEACH, ENTERED COMBAT ON JUNE 19, 1944 WITH COMPANY C, 313TH INFANTRY BATTALION, 79TH INFANTRY 'CROSS OF LORRAINE' DIVISION THROUGH THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, AND INTO THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS IN MID-SEPTEMBER, HE WAS INTERNED AT STALAG 2B NEAR HAMMERSTEIN, GERMANY UNTIL LIBERATED BY ADVANCING AMERICAN FORCES ON APRIL 12, 1945. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THREE BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON NOVEMBER 25, 1945 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.