World War II Honoree

Verne C. Griffith

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JUNE 10, 1942 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE ARMY AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF SPECIAL VEHICLE OPERATOR (932). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON JUNE 27, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH THE 79TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 20TH FIGHTER GROUP, 67TH FIGHTER WING, VIII FIGHTER COMMAND, AT KINGS CLIFFE, ENGLAND, THROUGH THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE 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 CORPORAL ON NOVEMBER 21, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.