World War II Honoree

Ray Harmon

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ingraham, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JUNE 28, 1941 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF WHEEL VEHICLE AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC (965). ASSIGNED TO THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SAW ACTION IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EVENTUALLY TRANSFERRED TO HEADQUARTERS, 9TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER BATTLE STAR, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.