World War II Honoree

Wiley C. Vail

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 8, 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF PORTABLE POWER GENERATOR OPERATOR (846). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1943 BOUND FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED WITH BATTERY D, 746TH ANTI- AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY BATTALION THROUGH THE NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINE ISLAND CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS AS A TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE ON JANUARY 10, 1946 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.