World War II Honoree

Howard E. Milligan

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 14, 1942 AT HOUSTON, TEXAS. SELECTED FOR THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR (650), AND ASSIGNED TO BATTERY D, 535TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS BATTALION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON FEBRUARY 11, 1944 WITH HIS UNIT, BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ENTERED COMBAT VIA ASSAULT LANDING ON NORMANDY BEACHHEAD AS A NON-DIVISIONAL UNIT ATTACHED TO VII CORPS AND FOUGHT IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (WHILE ATTACHED TO THE 99TH INFANTRY DIVISION), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD AND SILVER BATTLE STAR, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE ON NOVEMBER 24, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.