World War II Honoree

Stanley L. Winka

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON 21 NOVEMBER 1941 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED FOR THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF ADMINISTRATIVE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (502). ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS, 41ST INFANTRY (JUNGLEERS) DIVISION, THE FIRST DIVISION TO BE DEPLOYED TO THE PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS AFTER THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 22 APRIL 1942 BOUND FOR AUSTRALIA. FOUGHT THROUGH THE NEW GUINEA AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A MASTER SERGEANT ON 19 JUNE 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.