World War II Honoree

James A. Graham

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS ON 14 OCTOBER 1942 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED AS AN OXYGEN/ACETYLENE PLANT OPERATOR, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 719. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 13 APRIL 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED WITH THE 1043RD ENGINEER GAS GENERATING UNIT THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE ON 4 OCTOBER 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.