World War II Honoree

Darrell N. Decker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 28, 1943 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT TRUCK DRIVER (345). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON OCTOBER 29, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE COMPANY, 1289TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION, IN THE CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGN. DEPARTED EUROPE ON JULY 21, 1945 WITH HIS UNIT BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS BY SHIP VIA HAWAII. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS TO ENLIST IN THE REGULAR ARMY ON OCTOBER 31, 1945 AT MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. REASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON, TROOP 3, U.S. ARMED FORCES, WESTERN PACIFIC, ENGAGED IN THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATIONS MEDAL (JAPAN). HONORABLY DISCHARGED FOR THE SECOND TIME AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JANUARY 19, 1947 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN.