World War II Honoree

Thomas L. Purcell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bellevue, Ohio

Honored By

Clay & Jessie Purcell

Relationship

Son & Daughter-in-law

RANK: STAFF SERGEANT. ENTERED THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS SEPTEMBER 25, 1942, RECEIVING SMALL ARMS TRAINING AT CAMP HOOD, TEXAS AND AMMUNITION TRAINING AT ABERDEEN, MARYLAND. SERVED 22 MONTHS IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER AND THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AS AN AMMUNITION SUPPLY TECHNICIAN WITH THE 5TH AIR FORCE, ASSIGNED TO THE 617TH ORDNANCE AMMUNITION COMPANY (AVIATION). CAMPAIGNS: SOUTHERN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND NEW GUINEA. DECORATIONS: ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, A PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE HONORABLE LAPEL BUTTON. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED JULY 30, 1945 AT CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA. HE ALSO SERVED DURING WWI.