World War II Honoree

Rex V. Wilcox

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JULY 7, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR DUTY WITH THE INFANTRY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (MOS 745). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON AUGUST 24, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH THE 112TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 28TH ‘KEYSTONE’ INFANTRY DIVISION, IN THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON NOVEMBER 11 IN VICINITY OF ROTT, GERMANY. REMOVED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD AND RETURNED TO THE STATES FOR FURTHER TREATMENT AND CONVALESCENCE ON FEBRUARY 18, 1945. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON JULY 24, 1945 AT THE HOSPITAL CENTER, SERVICE COMMAND UNIT 1748, CAMP CARSON, COLORADO. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.