World War II Honoree

Harlen E. Cochran

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE AIR CORPS AS A DRAFTEE ON JANUARY 18, 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF HEAVY TRUCK DRIVER (931). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO UNKNOWN UNITS UNTIL REASSIGNED TO THE 48TH FIGHTER GROUP, 9TH AIR FORCE, WHEN THEY WERE ENGAGED IN THE CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGN. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE 1ST CLASS ON APRIL 11, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.