World War II Honoree

Robert Dale Hargrave

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 15, 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE INFANTRY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP WALTERS, TEXAS, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (MOS 745). IN JULY 1944, ASSIGNED TO COMPANY E, 399TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 100TH ‘CENTURY’ INFANTRY DIVISION, AT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON OCTOBER 6, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS AND FOUGHT IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AFTER VICTORY IN EUROPE, ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED AS A TELETYPE OPERATOR (MOS 237) WITH COMPANY B, 65TH SIGNAL BATTALION, SIGNAL CORPS, ENGAGED IN THE OCCUPATION OF GERMANY. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (PRESENTED BY BRIGADIER GENERAL ANDREW TYCHSEN, ASSISTANT DIVISION COMMANDER, AT A AWARDS CEREMONY IN THE FIELD), COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (GERMANY). HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON JUNE 22, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA.