World War II Honoree

Findley Bates

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Iola, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 22, 1942 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AUTOMOTIVE PARTS CLERK (348). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON JULY 23, 1942 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH 1429TH AVIATION ORDNANCE MEDIUM AUTO MAINTENANCE PLATOON. RETURNED TO THE U.S. ON MARCH 19, 1945 FOR TREATMENT OF A MEDICAL CONDITION. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FOURTH GRADE WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY ON AUGUST 30, 1945 AT WINTER GENERAL HOSPITAL, TOPEKA, KANSAS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.