World War II Honoree

Charles E. Gilliland

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Mrs. Jane Gilliland

Relationship

Wife

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 14, 1941 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. AFTER BASIC TRAINING, ASSIGNED TO DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, 5TH INFANTRY ‘RED DIAMOND’ DIVISION AT FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON APRIL 30, 1942 BOUND FOR ICELAND WITH THE HEADQUARTERS UNIT. ARRIVED AT TIDWORTH BARRACKS, ENGLAND ON AUGUST 9, 1943 AND MOVED TO BRYANSFORD, NORTHERN IRELAND IN OCTOBER TO BEGIN INTENSIVE TRAINING FOR THE FORTHCOMING INVASION OF FRANCE. ENTERED COMBAT IN MID-JULY 1944 IN VICINITY OF MONTEBOURG, FRANCE AND SERVED AS AN OPERATIONS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER THROUGH THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE SILVER BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON JULY 2, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.