World War II Honoree

Ralph E. Boose

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 7 MAY 1943 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND ATTENDED 8 WEEKS OF SURGICAL TECHNICIAN SCHOOL, QUALIFYING FOR THAT MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS 861). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 27 FEBRUARY 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO THE 361ST AIRBORNE MEDICAL COMPANY, 101ST ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ AIRBORNE DIVISION AND SERVED ON THE CONTINENT THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE GLIDER BADGE, THE MEDICAL BADGE, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON 17 FEBRUARY 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.