World War II Honoree

Earl W. Compton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 9, 1942 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF UTILITY REPAIRMAN (121). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON OCTOBER 6, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH COMPANY C, 7TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION, 5TH ‘RED DIAMOND’ INFANTRY DIVISION, IN RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON NOVEMBER 29, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY.