World War II Honoree

Verl L. Barnes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 8, 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF GROUND AIRCRAFT OBSERVER (518). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON OCTOBER 14, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH THE 778TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS BATTALION THROUGH THE ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (WHILE ATTACHED TO 76TH INFANTRY DIVISION), 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 CORPORAL ON DECEMBER 15. 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.