World War II Honoree

Chester Wattles

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bible Grove, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 15, 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT MORTAR CREWMAN (607). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON AUGUST 31, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE 10TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 5TH ‘WE WILL’ INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES AND RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. WITHDRAWN FROM THE BATTLEFIELD AND RETURNED TO THE STATES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JULY 25, 1945 AT THE HOSPITAL CENTER, SERVICE COMMAND UNIT #1748, CAMP CARSON, COLORADO. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.