World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Reber G. Colborn
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Bible Grove, Illinois
Honored By
Robert Medley Gatewood
ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON 31 OCTOBER 1941 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS AN AIRPLANE AND ENGINE MECHANIC (747) AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 12 JANUARY 1942 BOUND FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO THE 9TH ‘THE FLYING KNIGHTS’ FIGHTER SQUADRON, 49TH FIGHTER GROUP, 5TH AIR FORCE AND SERVED THROUGH THE EAST INDIES, PAPUA, NEW GUINEA, LUZON AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON 18 NOVEMBER 1944 ON LEYTE ISLAND. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE DISTINGUISHED (PRESIDENTIAL) UNIT CITATION WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER BATTLE STAR, THE PHILIPPINES LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLE DISCHARGE AS A PRIVATE ON 26TH NOVEMBER 1945 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.