World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Joe L. Casolari
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Flora, Illinois
Honored By
Robert Medley Gatewood
ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 15 MARCH 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF MEDIUM TANK CREWMAN (2736). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 11 SEPTEMBER 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH COMPANY B, 735TH TANK BATTALION (INDEPENDENT) THROUGH ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.