World War II Honoree

Eldon D. Colclasure

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 19 JANUARY 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND ATTENDED THE SIGNAL CORPS SCHOOL AT CAMP CROWDER, MISSOURI, QUALIFYING FOR THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) OF RADIO INTERCEPT OPERATOR (738). ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH SQUADRON A, 462ND ARMY AIR FORCES BASE UNIT ENGAGED IN SIGNAL AVIATION TRAINING AT CAMP PINEDALE, CALIFORNIA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED TO RE-ENLIST IN THE REGULAR ARMY THE NEXT DAY ON 2 NOVEMBER 1945 AT THAT STATION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 9 APRIL 1946 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED AS A RADIO MECHANIC (MOS 754) WITH THE 952ND RADIO INTELLIGENCE SQUADRON IN OCCUPIED JAPAN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON 26 JANUARY 1947 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (JAPAN).