World War II Honoree

Leroy W. Coble

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 2 OCTOBER, 1942 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. AFTER BASIC TRAINING, SPECIALIZED AS A LIGHT TRUCK DRIVER (345) AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 2 APRIL 1943 BOUND FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO SERVICE COMPANY, 27TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 25TH INFANTRY ‘TROPIC LIGHTNING’ DIVISION AFTER GUADALCANAL AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE NORTHERN SOLOMON AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A MASTER SERGEANT ON 5 DECEMBER 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.