World War II Honoree

Joseph Grover 'Joe' Cricklin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Whitefield, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

HIS DIVISION SAILED FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO PORT OF EMBARKATION ON MAY 11, 1942 AND ARRIVED AT FIJI ISLAND ON JUNE 11, 1942. SERVED AS A COMBAT INFANTRYMAN IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 37TH INFANTRY 'BUCKEYE' DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORTHERN SOLOMONS, AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. ARRIVED AT NEW GEORGIA ISLAND IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS ON JULY 22, 1943, AND BOUGAINVILLE IN THE SOLOMONS IN NOVEMBER, 1943 WHERE HE TOOK PART IN COMBAT OPERATIONS. HIS UNIT LANDED AT LINGAYEN GULF, LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON JANUARY 9, 1945. FOUGHT THERE IN COMBAT, INCLUDING IN INTENSE FIGHTING IN THE CITY OF MANILA. WAS ENGAGED IN MOPPING-UP AND SECURITY OPERATIONS ON LUZON WHEN THE WAR ENDED. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH BRONZE 'V' DEVICE FOR VALOR IN COMBAT AND BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED IN U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT.