World War II Honoree

John A. Wood

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JANUARY 26, 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED AS A CLERK TYPIST, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 405. DEPARTED THE U.S. ON JULY 15, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 26TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 1ST ‘BIG RED ONE’ INFANTRY DIVISION, IN THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON JANUARY 18, 1945 IN VICINITY OF LIEGE, BELGIUM. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (GERMANY). HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON APRIL 30, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP MCCOY, WISCONSIN.