World War II Honoree

Kelley Eugene Hilliard

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON MARCH 3, 1944 AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, WITH FURTHER TRAINING AT THE AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING BASE, CAMP BRADFORD, VIRGINIA. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED ABOARD THE LANDING SHIP TANK USS LST 714 IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. EARNED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZED BY 1999 CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SEAMAN FIRST CLASS ON JUNE 6, 1946 AT THE NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS.