World War II Honoree

William H. Shock

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON NOVEMBER 27, 1941 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR SERVICE WITH THE INFANTRY, COMPLETE BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH LINEMAN (MOS 238). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MAY 18, 1943 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 35TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 25TH ‘TROPIC LIGHTNING’ INFANTRY DIVISION, IN THE NORTHERN SOLOMONS AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON FEBRUARY 5, 1945 ON LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON DECEMBER 4, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR.