World War II Honoree

Billy Steen 'Bill' Parham

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Wagoner, 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 AT FORT SILL AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA ON APRIL 12, 1943. ASSIGNED TO OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING AT COLUMBUS, GEORGIA DURING THE PERIOD JUNE 24, 1943 TO SEPTEMBER 18, 1943. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1943 WITH THE RANK OF CORPORAL TO ACCEPT AN APPOINTMENT AS AN OFFICER. GRADUATED AND COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE INFANTRY ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1943. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND ON OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS. WOUNDED IN ACTION AT OKINAWA AND MEDICALLY EVACUATED TO THE STATES. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, PURPLE HEART WITH BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF CAPTAIN AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.