World War II Honoree

Vernon K. Wendling

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON AUGUST 3, 1944 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND DEPARTED THE U.S. ON MARCH 17, 1945 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. FOUGHT WITH AN UNKNOWN UNIT IN THE RYUKYUS CAMPAIGN AFTER WHICH HE WAS ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED AS A PLATOON SERGEANT WITH COMPANY C, 3RD BATTALION, 343RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, 86TH INFANTRY ‘BLACKHAWK’ DIVISION AFTER WAR’S END WHEN IT REDEPLOYED TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS IN SEPTEMBER 1945 FOR OCCUPATION DUTIES. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE BATTLE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (JAPAN). HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON OCTOBER 12, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.