World War II Honoree

Stephen W. Wattles

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON AUGUST 18, 1942 AT SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (MOS 745). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1943 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH COMPANY E, 1ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 6TH ‘RED STAR’ INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE NEW GUINEA AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS AS A LIGHT WEAPONS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (MOS 1812). EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON DECEMBER 17, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.