World War II Honoree

John E. Crackel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 5 AUGUST 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE FIELD ARTILLERY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED AS A LIGHT TRUCK DRIVER, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 345. ASSIGNED TO THE SERVICE COMPANY, 346TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 91ST ‘POWDER RIVER’ INFANTRY DIVISION AND DEPARTED THE U.S. ON 1 APRIL 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS WHERE HE TRAINED IN NORTH AFRICA FOR WAR IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGNS. FOUGHT THROUGH THE ROME-ARNO, NORTHERN APENNINES AND PO VALLEY CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE ON 7 NOVEMBER 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.