World War II Honoree

Clyde E. Bassett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON OCTOBER 28, 1942 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE FIELD ARTILLERY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT ARTILLERY GUN CREWMAN (844). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT, 921ST FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (105MM HOWITZER), 96TH ‘DEADEYE’ INFANTRY DIVISION, ON JULY 26, 1944 BOUND FOR FURTHER TRAINING IN HAWAII AND WAR IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ENTERED COMBAT VIA AN ASSAULT LANDING IN LEYTE GULF IN THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS CAMPAIGN AND AGAIN AT OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYUS CAMPAIGN. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE ARROWHEADS AND 2 BRONZE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JANUARY 18, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.