World War II Honoree

Clifford J. Hockman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON AUGUST 5, 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE FIELD ARTILLERY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF CANNONEER (1531). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JANUARY 10, 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 89TH ‘MIDDLE WEST’ INFANTRY DIVISION, IN THE ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION IN APRIL, 1945 IN THE GERMAN HOMELAND. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON NOVEMBER 7, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.