World War II Honoree

Lowell L. Benefield

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bible Grove, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

SERVED AS A DRAFTEE FOR 3 MONTHS AND 21 DAYS PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 1941 WHEN HE WAS PLACED ON INACTIVE RESERVE STATUS. ENLISTED IN THE REGULAR ARMY AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON JANUARY 27, 1942 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF GUN CREWMAN, LIGHT ARTILLERY (844) AND ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 54TH ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, 3RD 'SPEARHEAD’ ARMORED DIVISION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ENTERED COMBAT SHORTLY AFTER D-DAY AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH SILVER BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JUNE 20, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.