World War II Honoree

Charles O. Kessler

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 14, 1941 AT FLORA, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND ASSIGNED TO BATTERY A, 46TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, IN TRAINING AT FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THAT UNIT ON AUGUST 18, 1941 TO ENLIST IN THE REGULAR ARMY. ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE THE NEXT DAY AND LATER QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF INFORMATION CENTER OPERATOR (510). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1941 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED WITH OTHER IN-THEATER UNITS UNTIL ASSIGNED TO SERVICE BATTERY, 229TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (105MM HOWITZERS), 28TH ‘KEYSTONE’ INFANTRY DIVISION AFTER ITS ARRIVAL IN THEATER. FOUGHT IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. RETURNED U.S. FOR 3 MONTH PERIOD IN JANUARY 1945 AND RETURNED TO COMBAT AS WAR WAS ENDING IN LATE APRIL. EARNED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH BRONZE STAR IN LIEU OF CLASP, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH SILVER BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JULY 15, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.