World War II Honoree

James William 'Bill' Beckelhimer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Payne County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1941. SERVED AS A MEDIC WITH THE 12TH CAVALRY REGIMENT (INFANTRY) IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AND THEN IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. PARTICIPATED IN THE LOUISIANA MANEUVERS IN 1941-42. STAGED AT CAMP STONEMAN, PITTSBURG, CALIFORNIA ON JUNE 20, 1943; SAILED FROM SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA ON JULY 3, 1943 AND ARRIVED IN AUSTRALIA ON JULY 24, 1943. MOVED TO ORO BAY, NEW GUINEA ON JANUARY 26, 1944, AND TOOK PART IN THE REINFORCEMENT OF THE BEACHHEAD ON LOS NEGROS ISLAND ON MARCH 6, 1944 AND THE TAKING OF SALAMI AND PRLAKA. SERVED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS AGAINST THE SMALL ISLANDS OFF MOKERANG IN THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS BEGINNING APRIL 1, 1944. ASSAULTED LEYTE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON OCTOBER 20, 1944 AND THEN LANDED ON LUZON ON JANUARY 27, 1945. MOVED TO JAPAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945 TO AID IN OCCUPATION DUTY. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA, BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO, LEYTE AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN COMBAT, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS AND ARROWHEAD, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH 'JAPAN' CLASP, AND PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL. AUTHORIZED PERMANENT WEAR OF THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR HEROISM BY HIS UNIT ON LEYTE, AND ALSO THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR HIS UNIT'S SERVICE IN THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945 AND AWARDED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.