World War II Honoree

William A. Rapp

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MARCH 19, 1944 BOUND FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO COMPANY I, 148TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 37TH INFANTRY ‘BUCKEYE’ DIVISION THEN ENGAGED IN THE NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN AT BOUGAINVILLE AND TRAINING FOR THE COMING LUZON CAMPAIGN. MADE AN ASSAULT LANDING WITH HIS UNIT AT LINGAYEN GULF JANUARY 9, 1945 AND ENGAGED IN THAT CAMPAIGN FOR THE DURATION. WOUNDED IN ACTION ON FEBRUARY 8, 1945 DURING HEAVY FIGHTING FOR THE RECAPTURE OF MANILA. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND ONE BRONZE ARROWHEAD, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JANUARY 19, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.