World War II Honoree

Robert W. Gaines

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Gideon, Missouri

Honored By

Lawrence Ruhstorfer

Relationship

Friend

ENTERED WORLD WAR II ON FEBRUARY 24,1945. TOOK 17 WEEKS OF BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP MAXIE, TEXAS. HE REPORTED TO CAMP RUCKER ALABAMA FOR ADVANCED INFANTRY TRAINING. HIS ORDERS WERE CUT TO SHIP OUT TO THE FAR EAST. ENROUTE TO WASHINGTON THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB WAS DROPPED. THEY STOPPED AT OAHU HAWAII. HE WAS THEN ASSIGNED TO THE 15TH BASE POST OFFICE. VJ DAY HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS IN HAWAII. WAS SHIPPED BACK TO THE STATES TO FORT SHERIDAN ILLINOIS IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN WAS SENT TO CAMP LEE VIRGINIA UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS. THEN WAS SENT TO FORT SILL OKLAHOMA AND SERVED IN THE SECOND FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION UNTIL HE WAS DISCHARGED AUGUST 26 1947.