World War II Honoree

Marion A. Randolph

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Des Moines, Iowa

Honored By

Dave Evans

Relationship

Nephew

DRAFTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES ON DECEMBER 17, 1942 AT CAMP DODGE, IOWA. ATTACHED TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE 358TH FIGHTER GROUP, 9TH AIR FORCE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK. SHIPPED FROM NORFOLK, VIRGINIA ON BOARD A LIBERTY SHIP ON DECEMBER 24, 1943 AND CROSSED THE ATLANTIC FOR ITALY. ARRIVED AT BARI, ITALY ON JANUARY 19, 1944. TRAVELED WITH THE UNIT'S RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TRUCKS AND ADVANCED TO A LOCATION OUTSIDE NAPLES. WITNESSED THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION OF MT. VESUVIUS. DELIVERED PAYROLL TO MEN IN THE FIELD. ADVANCED TO ROME. BOARDED A SHIP AND CROSSED OVER TO FRANCE. PUSHED THROUGH FRANCE INTO GERMANY. THE WAR IN EUROPE ENDED AND WAS SENT BACK TO THE U.S. WHILE ON FURLOUGH, THE WAR WITH JAPAN ENDED. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AT SIOUX CITY, IOWA AT THE RANK OF SERGEANT ON OCTOBER 13, 1945. RECEIVED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL WITH 6 BRONZE STARS.