World War II Honoree

Jack E. Sharp

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MAY 18, 1944 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR SERVICE WITH THE INFANTRY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (MOS 745). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JANUARY 8, 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH COMPANY I, 23RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, 2ND ‘SECOND TO NONE’ INFANTRY DIVISION, IN THE ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON APRIL 4, 1945 IN VICINITY OF OBERLISTINGEN, GERMANY. AFTER VICTORY IN EUROPE, BEGAN RETRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR THE INVASION OF JAPAN, QUALIFYING IN THE ALTERNATE MOS OF MEDIUM TANK CREWMAN (2736). HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON APRIL 13, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.