World War II Honoree

Joseph R. Clark

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hanna City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF COOK (060). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON FEBRUARY 9, 1945 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH HEADQUARTER COMPANY, 165TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 27TH ‘NEW YORK’ INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGN AND THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE ON JANUARY 8, 1946 AT TAEGU, KOREA, IN ORDER TO ENLIST IN THE REGULAR ARMY THE NEXT DAY. RETURNED TO THE STATES FOR FURLOUGH, THEN REDEPLOYED AND REASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE COMPANY, 13TH ENGINEER BATTALION, WHICH WAS ALSO ENGAGED IN THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (JAPAN), AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FOURTH GRADE ON JULY 24, 1947 AT CAMP STONEMAN, CALIFORNIA.