World War II Honoree

Donald E. Bullard

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 1, 1940 AT FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON, INDIANA. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF GUN CREWMAN, MEDIUM ARTILLERY (864) AND ASSIGNED TO BATTERY A, 11THE FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, 24TH ‘VICTORY’ INFANTRY DIVISION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL US WITH HIS UNIT ON JANUARY 24, 1941 BOUND FOR SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, OAHU, TERRITORY OF HAWAII. AFTER THE JAPANESE ATTACKS ON DECEMBER 7, 1941 HELPED SET UP AND MAN DEFENSES FOR NORTHERN OAHU TILL MID-SUMMER, 1943 WHEN UNIT DEPLOYED TO AUSTRALIA. SERVED IN COMBAT THROUGH THE CENTRAL PACIFIC, NEW GUINEA AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINE ISLAND CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH FOUR BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON JUNE 7, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.