World War II Honoree

Edward I. Battaglino

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Forest Park, Illinois

Honored By

Stephen & Sharyone Battaglino

Relationship

Son & Daughter-in-Law

ENLISTED IN THE CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1940. QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN CREWMAN (601). RE-ENLISTED ON FEBRUARY 13, 1942 AT FORT MCARTHUR, CALIFORNIA. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JUNE 27, 1943 BOUND FOR THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS WHERE HE PARTICIPATED IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN. RETURNED TO THE STATES IN MAY, 1944 WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO COMPANY B OF THE NEWLY FORMED 381ST ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, AT CAMP VAN DORN, MISSISSIPPI. AGAIN, DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS NEW UNIT ON OCTOBER 30, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. AFTER FURTHER TRAINING IN ENGLAND, ENTERED COMBAT IN FEBRUARY 1945 PARTICIPATING IN THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH BRONZE STAR (INDICATING SERVICE OUTSIDE THE CONTINENTAL U.S.), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL. ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JUNE 22, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.