World War II Honoree

Harry F. Young

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON AUGUST 4, 1944 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A RIFLEMAN (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 745). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON FEBRUARY 9, 1945 BOUND FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO COMPANY K, 305TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 77TH INFANTRY 'STATUE OF LIBERTY' DIVISION IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND FOUGHT WITH THEM IN THE RYUKYUS CAMPAIGN UNTIL WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON JUNE 22, 1945 DURING THE BATTLE FOR OKINAWA. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE 1ST CLASS ON JANUARY 9, 1946 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.