World War II Honoree

Clarence E. Poppe

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON FEBRUARY 2, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE INFANTRY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT TRUCK DRIVER (MOS 345). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MARCH 28, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED WITH UNKNOWN UNITS TILL ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 15TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 3RD ‘MARNE’ INFANTRY DIVISION, AND FOUGHT IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON APRIL 2, 1945 IN VICINITY OF WEIBERSBURNN, BAVARIA, GERMANY, AND TREATED BY THE 189TH GENERAL HOSPITAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JANUARY 29, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.