World War II Honoree

Howard G. Colclasure

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Farina, Illinois

Honored By

Howard Colclasure

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON FEBRUARY 3, 1942 AT SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS. ATTENDED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED FOR THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (014) OF AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC. ASSIGNED TO THE 6TH CAVALRY REGIMENT AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON OCTOBER 13, 1943 ABOARD THE RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH BOUND FOR NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. AFTER REORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT, WORKED ON JEEPS, ARMORED CARS, HALF TRACK 6X6 AND 4X4 AS A VEHICLE MECHANIC ASSIGNED TO RECONNAISSANCE TROOP A, 6TH CAVALRY SQUADRON, 6TH CAVALRY GROUP. ENTERED THE CONTINENT AT UTAH BEACH AND COMBAT IN JULY 1944 IN VICINITY OF SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE AND PARTICIPATED IN THE MAJOR BATTLES OF THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH FIVE BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON NOVEMBER 25, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.