World War II Honoree

John T. Tooley

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED IN THE INFANTRY AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON AUGUST 22, 1940 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING; QUALIFIED AS A RIFLEMAN; AND PERFORMED, VARIOUSLY, AS A SQUAD LEADER, MESS SERGEANT, CLERK TYPIST, AND COMMUNICATIONS SERGEANT. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON NOVEMBER 15, 1940 BOUND FOR THE TERRITORY OF HAWAII. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE 27TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 25TH ‘TROPIC LIGHTNING’ INFANTRY DIVISION, IN THE GUADALCANAL CAMPAIGN. RETURNED STATESIDE ON NOVEMBER 13, 1943 FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND EVALUATION AT KENNEDY GENERAL HOSPITAL, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON FEBRUARY 25, 1944 AT SAME STATION. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.