World War II Honoree

James R. Coble

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewoood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JANUARY 11, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE CHEMICAL WARFARE SERVICE, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, ASSIGNED TO THE 873RD CHEMICAL COMPANY AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF TOXIC GAS HANDLER (786). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. FOUGHT IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON DECEMBER 7, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.