World War II Honoree

Emory M. Coble

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON FEBRUARY 19, 1942 AT SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE INFANTRY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1942 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. JOINED COMPANY C, 129TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 37TH ‘BUCKEYE’ INFANTRY DIVISION IN TRAINING AND FORTIFYING THE FIJI ISLANDS. FOUGHT THROUGH THE NORTHERN SOLOMON AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON FEBRUARY 12, 1945 IN VICINITY OF PASIG RIVER IN MANILA. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON OCTOBER 13, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER IN JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.