World War II Honoree

Albert V. Givens

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Farina, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 14, 1941 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE FIELD ARTILLERY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT ARTILLERY GUN CREWMAN (844). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON APRIL 7, 1942 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. BY 1944, ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH BATTERY B, 938TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (A NON-DIVISIONAL 155MM HOWITZER UNIT), IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE AND GROUND COMBAT CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON SEPTEMBER 10, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.