World War II Honoree

James R. Gates

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Enid, Oklahoma

Honored By

OAMC, ROTC Class of 1943

SERVED IN THE ARMY RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS AT OKLAHOMA A&M COLLEGE AT STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA FROM SEPTEMBER, 1940 TO APRIL 5, 1943. SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVED AS A PRIVATE IN THE ENLISTED RESERVE CORPS WITH THE 1875TH SERVICE UNIT FROM JULY 1942 TO APRIL 5, 1943. INDUCTED AND CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY ON APRIL 6, 1943. REPORTED TO THE RECEPTION CENTER, FORT SILL, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA ON APRIL 12, 1943. ASSIGNED TO OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AT FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA DURING THE PERIOD JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 1943. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN SEPTEMBER 1943 WITH THE RANK OF CORPORAL TO ACCEPT AN APPOINTMENT AS AN OFFICER. GRADUATED AND COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS IN SEPTEMBER 1943. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. ASSIGNED TO THE 822ND ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION AT ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND IN THE NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS. STATIONED IN NEW GUINEA IN MAY 1944, IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS IN NOVEMBER 1944, AND ON OKINAWA IN JUNE 1945. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA, LEYTE, AND RYUKYUS CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF 1ST LIEUTENANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.