World War II Honoree

William J. Withrow

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Akron, Ohio

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON NOVEMBER 21, 1941 AT FORT HAYNES, OHIO. SELECTED FOR DUTY WITH THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF HEAVY TRUCK DRIVER (MOS 931). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON DECEMBER 12, 1942 BOUND FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH BATTERY B, 432ND COAST ARTILLERY BATTALION (ANTI-AIRCRAFT), IN THE TUNISIAN, NAPLES-FOGGIA, ROME-ARNO, NORTHERN APENNINES, AND PO VALLEY CAMPAIGNS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE ON NOVEMBER 7, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, INDIAN GAP MILITARY RESERVATION, PENNSYLVANIA. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL. EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 5 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.