World War II Honoree

Richard L. Gragg

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JANUARY 19, 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AIRPLANE ARMORER (911). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON FEBRUARY 12, 1944 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS, WHERE HE PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN. REASSIGNED TO THE 60TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 33RD FIGHTER GROUP FLYING P-38 AND P-47 AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SUPPORTED THAT UNIT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CHINA, CENTRAL BURMA, INDIA-BURMA AND AIR OFFENSIVE JAPAN CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A CORPORAL ON DECEMBER 11, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT.