World War II Honoree

Roy J. Patridge

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON OCTOBER 6, 1942 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE INFANTRY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (MOS 745). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON APRIL 29, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. FOUGHT WITH UNKNOWN UNITS IN THE SICILIAN AND NAPLES-FOGGIA CAMPAIGNS. REASSIGNED TO COMPANY C, 505TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 82ND ‘ALL AMERICAN’ AIRBORNE DIVISION AND FOUGHT IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, AND RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON JANUARY 3, 1945 IN VICINITY OF BASSEBODEUX, BELGIUM. TREATED IN-THEATER AND RETURNED STATESIDE ON MARCH 26, 1945 FOR CONVALESCENCE AT PERCY JONES HOSPITAL CENTER, FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY ON JUNE 9, 1945 AT SAME STATION. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER BATTLE STAR, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.