World War II Honoree

William Eugene Banta

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON AUGUST 6, 1943 AT EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A FIREMAN AND SEAMAN, ASSIGNED OVERSEAS TO NAVY 3149 BASE AT NGOLOS, EAST SAMAR, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. LATER SERVED ABOARD THE HEAVY CRUISER USS TUSCALOOSA CA-37 AFTER SHE ARRIVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS IN JANUARY 1945. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A BAKER 3RD CLASS ON APRIL 20, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS.