World War II Honoree

Fred H. Cooper

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED IN THE FIELD ARTILLERY AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1940 AT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT TRUCK DRIVER (345) AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON AUGUST 6, 1942 BOUND FOR ENGLAND. SAW COMBAT THROUGH THE TUNISIA, SICILY, NAPLES-FOGGIA, ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGNS. RETURNED TO THE STATES FOR MEDICAL REASONS AND TREATMENT AT THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOME AND HOSPITAL AT WOOD, WISCONSIN ON APRIL 29, 1945. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A CORPORAL ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1945 BY THE ARMY AIR FORCES REGIONAL AND CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, MIAMI, FLORIDA. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH SILVER BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.