World War II Honoree

Carmon E. Payne

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON AUGUST 5, 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE FIELD ARTILLERY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED AS A SCOUT, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 761. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JULY 16, 1944 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE BATTERY, 612TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (A 75MM PACK HOWITZER UNIT) OPERATING IN THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER. PARTICIPATED IN THE BURMA, CHINA, CENTRAL BURMA AND INDIA-BURMA CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH FOUR BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON DECEMBER 12, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.