World War II Honoree

James N. Franklin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Sailor Springs, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 21, 1943 AT FOR SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JUNE 15, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. AFTER D-DAY, ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH COMPANY C, 329TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 83RD ‘THUNDERBOLT’ INFANTRY DIVISION, THROUGH THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED IN ACTION AND TREATED BY THE 99TH GENERAL HOSPITAL. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, 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 DECEMBER 6, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.