World War II Honoree

Duane C. Croka

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hennessey, Oklahoma

Honored By

OAMC, ROTC Fire Station Gang

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 UNTIL APRIL 5, 1943. INDUCTED AND CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY ON APRIL 6, 1943. REPORTED TO THE RECEPTION CENTER, FORT SILL, AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA ON APRIL 12, 1943. TOOK INFANTRY BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP ROBERTS AT SAN MIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, WAS PROMOTED TO PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, AND SENT TO THE ARMY SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAM AT OKLAHOMA A&M COLLEGE FOR 8 MONTHS WHILE WAITING TO ATTEND OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL. ASSIGNED TO OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING IN COLUMBUS, GEORGIA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON AUGUST 28, 1944 TO ACCEPT AN APPOINTMENT AS AN OFFICER. GRADUATED AND WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT OF INFANTRY ON AUGUST 29, 1944. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE SERVICE STAR AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF CAPTAIN IN AUGUST 1946. ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.