World War II Honoree

Kermit W. Dunnigan

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 19, 1942 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745) AND ASSIGNED TO THE 325TH INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE 82ND INFANTRY DIVISION AT CAMP CLAIBORNE, LOUISIANA. WHEN THE 82ND WAS DESIGNATED AS THE FIRST AIRBORNE DIVISION, THE 325TH WAS DESIGNATED AS A GLIDER INFANTRY REGIMENT. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON APRIL 29, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. FOUGHT THROUGH THE SICILIAN, NAPLES-FOGGIA AND NORMANDY CAMPAIGNS WITH HIS UNIT. RETURNED TO THE STATES ON APRIL 9, 1945 TO SERVE AS A RIFLE INSTRUCTOR WITH COMPANY D, 8TH TRAINING BATTALION, CAMP WHEELER, GEORGIA. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GLIDER BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON OCTOBER 17, 1945 AT BATTEY GENERAL HOSPITAL, ROME, GEORGIA.