World War II Honoree

Lawrence L. Winchester

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JUNE 11, 1941 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF TELEPHONE SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR (650). SERVED STATESIDE UNTIL DEPARTING THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JUNE 22, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH BATTERY C, 949TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, A NON-DIVISIONAL UNIT, IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE ON NOVEMBER 9, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.