World War II Honoree

Howard Wesley Gunderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Blackduck, Minnesota

Honored By

Carol Locken Anders

Relationship

Niece

WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1944 AT THE AGE OF 21. HE REPORTED TO FORT SNELLING, MINNESOTA AND WAS SENT TO INFANTRY TRAINING CAMPS AT FORT HOOD, TEXAS AND FORT ORD, CALIFORNIA. IN MARCH 1945 HE ARRIVED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND SERVED AS A MEDIC ON THE ISLANDS OF LEYTE, CEBU AND LUZON. HE TOOK PART IN THE BATTLE OF LUZON WHERE HE CLIMBED MOUNTAINS, DUG FOXHOLES AND SAT IN THEM HALF FULL OF WATER FROM ALL NIGHT RAIN. DECORATIONS FROM THIS CAMPAIGN INCLUDE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON WITH 1 BRONZE STAR, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE ALSO RECEIVED THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL JAPAN WITH 1 BRONZE STAR FOR TOUR OF DUTY IN YOKOHAMA AND KOBE, JAPAN. HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE IN JAPAN, A RATHER EXOTIC PLACE FOR A FARM LAD FROM MINNESOTA. RETURNED TO THE U.S. IN AUGUST 1946, HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE WITH THE RANK OF TECHNICIAN 5TH CLASS ON OCTOBER 19, 1946.