World War II Honoree

Paul Eugene Cooper

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

DRAFTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON OCTOBER 7, 1943 AT THE NAVY RECEIVING STATION, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION FARRAGUT, IDAHO; THE 20 WEEK CLASS A RADIOMAN SCHOOL AT NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA; AND VARIOUS ‘BEACH OPERATIONS’ SCHOOLS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED IN THE BEACH PARTY ABOARD THE HASKELL CLASS, ATTACK TRANSPORT, USS PITT APA-223. EARNED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (AWARDED RETROACTIVELY BY 1999 ACT OF CONGRESS), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A RADIOMAN THIRD CLASS ON MARCH 12, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS.