World War II Honoree

Arlie Dee Hardesty

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Konawa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

HIS BATTALION SAILED FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO PORT OF EMBARKATION ON MAY 24, 1943 AND ARRIVED IN AUSTRALIA ON JUNE 14, 1943. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 872ND ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA, LEYTE, AND RYUKYUS CAMPAIGNS. TOOK PART IN OPERATIONS AT NEW GUINEA BEGINNING JULY 7, 1943; AT LEYTE, IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, BEGINNING NOVEMBER 14, 1944; AND AT OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS BEGINNING JUNE 14, 1945. PRIMARY DUTIES INCLUDED OPERATING A BULLDOZER TO CLEAR LAND FOR RUNWAYS FOR AIRPLANES. STATIONED ON OKINAWA AT WAR'S END. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘JAPAN’ CLASP. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.