World War II Honoree

Bernice E. Colclasure

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 22, 1942 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED AS A CONSTRUCTION MACHINE SUPERVISOR, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 359 AND ASSIGNED TO THE 851ST ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION. DEPARTED THE U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON JUNE 24, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED IN ENGLAND AND IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON DECEMBER 14, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.