World War II Honoree

James L. Tolliver

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 6 AUGUST 1941 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED AS A RIFLEMAN AND LATER AS AN INTELLIGENCE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (NCO), MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES OF 745 AND 631 RESPECTIVELY. ASSIGNED TO AND TRAINED STATESIDE WITH THE 46TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION, 5TH 'VICTORY' ARMORED DIVISION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON 11 FEBRUARY 1944 BOUND FOR ENGLAND AND PREPARATION FOR OPERATION OVERLORD. ENTERED COMBAT ON 2 AUGUST 1944 AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION IN OCTOBER 1944 IN BELGIUM. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON 20 OCTOBER 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN.