World War II Honoree

Harlan Dillman Friend

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE NAVY V-12 COLLEGE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL. STUDIED WITH A V-12 UNIT AT DALLAS, TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE, CLINTON, MISSISSIPPI. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED ABOARD THE GREAT LAKES TRAINING CARRIER USS WOLVERINE (IX-64) AND THEN IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS WITH ACORN 50 (AN AIRFIELD ASSEMBLY DESIGNED TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN AN ADVANCED LAND PLANE AND SEAPLANE BASE AND PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR OPERATIONS). EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SEAMAN FIRST CLASS ON MARCH 29, 1946 AT THE NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP SHOEMAKER, CALIFORNIA.