World War II Honoree

Burnham L. Hayes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

St. Elmo, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON NOVEMBER 24, 1942 AT SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF HEAVY TRUCK DRIVER (931). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH SERVICE COMPANY, 788TH TANK BATTALION (A NON-DIVISIONAL UNIT) IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE 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 TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE ON JANUARY 6, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.