World War II Honoree

Robert L. Gordon

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1942 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF FIELD LINEMAN (641) AND ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 353RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, 89TH ‘MIDDLE WEST’ INFANTRY DIVISION. DEPARTED THE U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON JANUARY 10, 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ENTERED COMBAT ON MARCH 12, 1945 IN VICINITY OF SPEICHER, GERMANY AND WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION SHORTLY THEREAFTER. FOUGHT IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, 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 TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE ON DECEMBER 10, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER AT CAMP GRANT.