World War II Honoree

William Denby Oliver

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON APRIL 7, 1943 AT NAVY RECRUITING STATION, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. TOOK BASIC AND GUNNER’S MATE TRAINING AT NAVAL TRAINING SCHOOL, FARRAGUT, IDAHO, AFTER WHICH HE WAS ASSIGNED TO CARRIER AIRCRAFT SUPPORT UNIT 1 IN HAWAII AND THEN TO THE INDEPENDENCE CLASS, LIGHT CARRIER USS LANGLEY CVL-27 FOR THE DURATION OF HIS TOUR OF DUTY. CITED BY THE COMMANDER FOR EXCELLENCE IN EFFICIENCY OF OPERATIONS ON BOTH FLIGHT AND MAGAZINE DECKS. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SEAMAN 1ST CLASS GUNNER’S MATE ON AUGUST 16, 1947 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS.