World War II Honoree

George C. Harrington

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON AUGUST 19, 1941 AT FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. TRAINED AS AN AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 746) AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1941 BOUND FOR ICELAND WITH COMPANY L, 10TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 5TH INFANTRY ‘RED DIAMOND’ DIVISION. ARRIVED UNITED KINGDOM IN MAY 1943 AND ENTERED COMBAT ON JULY 14, 1944. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1944 IN VICINITY OF CHAMBLEY, MEURTHE-ET-MOSELLE, DURING THE NORTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGN. EVACUATED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD TO THE 150TH GENERAL HOSPITAL AND DEPARTED THE EUROPEAN THEATER FOR TREATMENT AND CONVALESCENCE STATESIDE ON NOVEMBER 21, 1944. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON JULY 5, 1945 AT O’REILLY GENERAL HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI.