World War II Honoree

Leon Grinestaff

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON NOVEMBER 2, 1942 AT FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON, INDIANA. SELECTED FOR THE AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, ATTENDED AIRCRAFT ARMAMENT AND TURRET MAINTENANCE SERVICE SCHOOLS AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AIRCRAFT ARMORER (911). SERVED STATESIDE UNTIL DEPARTING FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ON JANUARY 17, 1945. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH THE 459TH BOMB SQUADRON (VERY HEAVY), 330TH BOMB GROUP, 314TH BOMB WING, BASED ON GUAM ISLAND OPERATING B-29 SUPER FORTRESS BOMBERS IN THE AIR COMBAT JAPAN AND WESTERN PACIFIC CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON JANUARY 5, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.