World War II Honoree

Walter F. Gant

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

WITH 5 YEARS PRIOR SERVICE IN THE COAST ARTILLERY, ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AGAIN, AS A DRAFTEE, ON MAY 20, 1943 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. BECAUSE OF HIS CIVILIAN PROFESSION AS A CIVIL ENGINEER, SELECTED FOR THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND AWARDED THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN (059). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON OCTOBER 22, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE COMPANY, 283RD ENGINEER BATTALION IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON OCTOBER 15, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP MCCOY, WISCONSIN.