World War II Honoree

William A. Guerrattaz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JULY 21, 1944 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF COOK (060), AND ATTENDED THE PARACHUTIST SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA. DEPARTED THE U.S. ON MARCH 10, 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ AIRBORNE DIVISION, IN THE CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGN AND THEREAFTER SERVED WITH THEM IN THE OCCUPATION OF GERMANY. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (GERMANY). HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JUNE 25, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY.