World War II Honoree

Norris Willard Wells

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

Relationship

Friend

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON APRIL 24, 1942 AT NAVAL RECRUITING STATION CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. AFTER BASIC AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. BOUND FOR NAVAL RECEIVING STATION NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. STATIONED THERE AT U.S. NAVAL ADVANCED BASE 131 FOR THE DURATION, ADVANCING TO SEAMAN FIRST CLASS AND THEN TO YEOMAN SECOND CLASS. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON NOVEMBER 20, 1945 AT THE NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS.