World War II Honoree

Oscar A. Kelley

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON FEBRUARY 28, 1941 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC (014). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JULY 11, 1943 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 65TH ANTI- AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY GUN BATTALION IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FOURTH GRADE ON OCTOBER 9, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA.