World War II Honoree

Henry A. Duke

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON AUGUST 27, 1942 AT SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND LATER QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RANGE SECTION NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (527). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON DECEMBER 2, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH BATTERY A, 537TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY (AUTOMATIC WEAPONS) BATTALION IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A CORPORAL ON DECEMBER 7, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP MCCOY, WISCONSIN.