World War II Honoree

James D. Harris

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED IN THE AIR CORPS AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON AUGUST 15, 1940 AT CHANUTE FIELD, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, ATTENDED THE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC SERVICE SCHOOL AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE TECHNICIAN (925). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JANUARY 16, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH THE 826TH AIR ENGINEERING SQUADRON. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A MASTER SERGEANT ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.