World War II Honoree

Matthew Edgar Gauthier

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Muskegon, Michigan

Honored By

Matthew 'Butch' Gauthier

Relationship

Son

INDUCTED OCTOBER 15, 1940. SAILED OVERSEAS ON SS LURLINE ON APRIL, 1942 AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WITH COMPANY G, 126TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 32ND RED ARROW DIVISION. ARRIVED IN ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA IN MAY 1942, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO CAMP CABLE SOUTH OF BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AND PARTICIPATED IN THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA, LEYTE AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. CROSSED THE OWEN STANLEY MOUNTAINS ON FOOT AND PARTICIPATED IN THE ASSAULT ON BUNA, NEW GUINEA. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THREE BRONZE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL AND HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH RANK OF CORPORAL ON JULY 7, 1945 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.