World War II Honoree

William E. Erwin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JANUARY 27, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC AND QUALIFIED FOR THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT TANK CREWMAN (736). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JUNE 21, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED IN COMBAT WITH COMPANY F, 43RD CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON (MECHANIZED), 3RD CAVALRY GROUP THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS, WHEREIN HE SUFFERED AN ENEMY INFLICTED SHRAPNEL WOUND IN THE LEFT LEG ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1944. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH FOUR BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE CAVALRY AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON NOVEMBER 3, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION POINT, CAMP BOWIE, TEXAS.