World War II Honoree

Austin C. Wheeler

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON AUGUST 7, 1940 AT SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. COMPLETED BASIC INFANTRY TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745). AFTER VARIOUS STATESIDE ASSIGNMENTS, DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JULY 27, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. THEREAFTER, ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH COMPANY B, 87TH MOUNTAIN REGIMENT, 10TH ‘CLIMB TO GLORY’ MOUNTAIN DIVISION (LIGHT INFANTRY), IN THE ROME-ARNO, NORTHERN APENNINES AND PO VALLEY CAMPAIGNS. SERIOUSLY WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON APRIL 18, 1945 IN VICINITY OF MONGIORGIO, ITALY. RETURNED TO THE ZONE OF INTERIOR ON MAY 27, 1945 FOR TREATMENT AND CONVALESCE. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A CORPORAL WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY ON MAY 7, 1947 AT PERCY JONES GENERAL HOSPITAL, FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THREE BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.