World War II Honoree

Marvin O. Birch

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bible Grove, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 15, 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, GRADUATED THE WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SERVICE SCHOOL AT FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT MECHANIC (014). SERVED STATESIDE WITH THE 3539TH ARMY AIR FORCES BASE UNIT AT LANGLEY FIELD, VIRGINIA. DEVELOPED A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON OCTOBER 26, 1945 SAME STATION. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.