World War II Honoree

Willie B. 'Button' Harmon

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Willie H. Thompson

Relationship

Nephew

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JULY 6, 1942 AT SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS. AFTER BASIC TRAINING AND SPECIALIZATION AS A MAIL ORDERLY (055), ASSIGNED TO CANNON COMPANY, 397TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 95TH INFANTRY VICTORY DIVISION. AFTER TACTICAL UNIT TRAINING, DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON AUGUST 9, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ENTERED COMBAT IN MID-OCTOBER IN VICINITY OF VILLERS-SOUS-PRENY, FRANCE. FOUGHT THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE ON NOVEMBER 2, 1945 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.