World War II Honoree

Robert L. Gordon, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Urbana, Illinois

Honored By

Mrs. Jean Gordon

Relationship

Wife

Army Service in Signal Corps Reserves, 1940. 1941, completed the Signal Corps Radio Mechanized School. Began Active Duty in 1942 and sent to the U.S. Air Force Engineering and Operation School, Lowry Field, Colorado. Before going overseas, stationed at Scott Field, Kessler Field and Lowry Field Air Force Bases; Overseas Combat Training Center, Atlantic City and Overseas shipping point, Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. Tours of duty in South America, Africa, Madagascar, Ceylon, China-Burma-India, Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines, the Mariana Islands, Okinawa and Hawaii. Began tour as a Replacement for the 80th Fighter Group. Later attached to the China Air Force Lease Lend Depot and the Royal Air Force Lease Lend Depot. Almost entire duty overseas was spent attached away from his own units. Regular units were Headquarters Squadron, 10th Air Force; Headquarters Squadron, China-Burma-India Air Force; Southeast Asia Command; and Headquarters Squadron, Air Force Air Technical Command. June 1945, shipped to Okinawa with units of the 20th Air Force Bomber Command as the last Combat Unit before returning to the U.S. on the Navy ship General H.B. Freeman AP-143 Attack Transport. Entered the U.S. at San Pedro. Went to March Field, California and shipped by rail to Camp Grant, Illinois. Then after six weeks leave, he was ordered to report to Headquarters Squadron, U.S. Fighter Command at Kelly Field. Later discharged from Kelly Field, Texas. Returned home Christmas 1945. This was made possible because of the good treatment at three different times and months of care that was given overseas at U.S. Army Medical Units, Field Stations and Hospitals.