World War II Honoree

Wilbur D. Babcock

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 21, 1941 AT TACOMA, WASHINGTON. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RADIO OPERATOR (756). SERVED WITH OTHER STATESIDE UNITS UNTIL ASSIGNED TO THE 437TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 414TH FIGHTER GROUP, WHICH WAS EQUIPPED WITH P-47 'THUNDERBOLT’ AIRCRAFT AND CONSTITUTED ON OCTOBER 15, 1944. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JUNE 15, 1945 WITH HIS UNIT WHEN IT DEPLOYED TO THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATED IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND RYUKYUS CAMPAIGNS SUPPORTING AIR COMBAT FROM BASES ON GUAM AND IWO JIMA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 20TH AIR FORCE. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON DECEMBER 9, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.