World War II Honoree

Thomas Elbert Farmer

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1942 AT SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED ABOARD THE HEAVY CRUISER USS ST. LOUIS (CL-49) AS A SEAMAN AND LATER A BAKER. SAW ACTION IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. EARNED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (RETROACTIVELY AWARDED BY 1999 CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH MULTIPLE BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A BAKER FIRST CLASS ON DECEMBER 16, 1945 AT THE NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI.