World War II Honoree

Chester Devore, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JANUARY 23, 1945 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT MACHINE GUNNER (606). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1945 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH BATTERY F, 152ND AIRBORNE ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY BATTALION ENGAGED IN THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE ON JANUARY 23, 1946 AT AKITA, JAPAN; ENLISTED IN THE REGULAR ARMY THE NEXT DAY. RETURNED TO THE U.S. FOR FURLOUGH AND RETRAINING, AFTER WHICH WAS REASSIGNED TO AND SERVED AS A MESS STEWARD (824) WITH HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 63RD FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, ALSO ENGAGED IN THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED A SECOND TIME AS A CORPORAL ON JULY 3, 1947 AT THE SEPARATION STATION, CAMP STONEMAN, CALIFORNIA. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (JAPAN).