World War II Honoree

Willis Cottengaim

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 2 NOVEMBER 1944 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A LIGHT TRUCK DRIVER (345) AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 15 MARCH 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED IN COMBAT WITH THE 350TH ORDNANCE DEPOT THROUGH THE CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGN. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION (GERMANY) MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE ORDNANCE CORPS AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON 9 AUGUST 1946 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.