World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Randolph W. Childress
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Lawrenceville, Illinois
Honored By
Robert Medley Gatewood
ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 21, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, ATTENDED THE 6-WEEK B-17 AERIAL GUNNERY SCHOOL AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AIRPLANE ARMORER GUNNER (612). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON DECEMBER 21, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE 452ND BOMB GROUP (HEAVY), 8TH AIR FORCE, (BASED AT ROYAL AIR FORCE DEOPHAM GREEN, NORFOLK, ENGLAND) IN THE ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON MARCH 3, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.