World War II Honoree

Melvin W. Zerkel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Nobel, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 10 FEBRUARY 1944 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED AS A RIFLEMAN, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 745. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 27 JULY 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE 180TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 45TH ‘THUNDERBIRD’ INFANTRY DIVISION, IN THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON 8 JANUARY 1945 AND REMOVED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, 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 PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON 21 NOVEMBER 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP BEALE, CALIFORNIA.