World War II Honoree

William Amos Wildbur

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 28, 1943 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON JUNE 16, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH COMPANY K, 331ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 83RD ‘THUNDERBOLT’ INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE AND ARDENNES (BATTLE OF THE BULGE) CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON JANUARY 10, 1945 IN LUXEMBOURG, BELGIUM. REMOVED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD, HOSPITALIZED AND RETURNED TO THE U.S. TO CONVALESCE AT PERCY JONES HOSPITAL CENTER, FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AT THAT STATION WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON AUGUST 20, 1945. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.