World War II Honoree

Franklin C. Byers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Farina, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 21 JANUARY 1941 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED AS A MOTOR TRANSPORTATION NON-COMMISSION OFFICER, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 014. SERVED AT VARIOUS BASES UNTIL DEPARTING THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 21 APRIL 1944. LATER ASSIGNED TO COMPANY B, 349TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 88TH ‘BLUE DEVIL’ INFANTRY DIVISION AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE PO VALLEY CAMPAIGN. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A CORPORAL ON 1 DECEMBER 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.