World War II Honoree

Rafael Espina

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tampa, Florida

Honored By

Robert G. DeMuro

Relationship

Friend

STAFF SERGEANT. ENLISTED IN THE FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD OCTOBER 2, 1940, 116TH FIELD ARTILLERY. TRANSFERRED TO FORT HAMILTON, NEW YORK. EMBARKED WITH THE 5TH ARMY TO AFRICA 1942. SERVED IN THE NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN. TRANSFERRED TO THE 7TH ARMY, EUROPEAN THEATRE. SERVED IN COMBAT IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, SOUTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGN. HE EARNED THREE BATTLE STARS AND ARROWHEAD ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE AND RHINELAND. DISCHARGED OCTOBER 2, 1945 FROM 40TH TANK CORPS, TRAFFIC BATTALION, CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA. ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 20422899.