World War II Honoree

Charles R. Leak

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON FEBRUARY 23, 1943 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND ATTENDED 18 WEEK TANK DESTROYER SERVICE SCHOOL IN 1943. LATER QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF MILITARY POLICEMAN (677) AND ASSIGNED TO THE MILITARY POLICE PLATOON OF THE 87TH ‘GOLDEN ACORN’ INFANTRY DIVISION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON NOVEMBER 4, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATED IN THE ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THREE BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON DECEMBER 6, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.