World War II Honoree

Francis O. Milner

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 15, 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE INFANTRY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF GENERAL CLERK (055). ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH COMPANY F, 104TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 26TH ‘YANKEE’ INFANTRY DIVISION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON AUGUST 30, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ENTERED COMBAT ON OCTOBER 12, 1944 AND FOUGHT IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE AND RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON NOVEMBER 13, 1944 IN VICINITY OF HAMPONT, FRANCE, EVACUATED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD, AND RETURNED STATESIDE FOR TREATMENT AND MEDICAL EVALUATION. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE ON DECEMBER 27, 1944 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICA CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.