World War II Honoree

Vernon Anthony Bahr

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Albert, Kansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, IN THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS, WITH COMPANY A, 96TH SIGNAL BATTALION. STATIONED AT SHADUZUP, A VILLAGE ON THE LEDO ROAD IN BURMA. THE BATTALION WAS AWARDED THE MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION FOR OPERATIONS DURING THE PERIOD 23 OCTOBER 1943 TO 31 AUGUST 1944. THE 96TH SIGNAL BATTALION WAS CALLED UPON TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN AND OPERATE AN INTRICATE SIGNAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM IN THE JUNGLES OF BURMA UNDER THE MOST SEVERE AND ADVERSE CONDITIONS OF MONSOON AND DISEASE AND IN THE FACE OF ENEMY ACTION. THE UNIT WORKED IN A MOST EXEMPLARY MANNER TO PROVIDE THE HIGHLY EFFICIENT SIGNAL COMMUNICATIONS NEEDED TO MAKE POSSIBLE THE CAPTURE OF NORTHERN BURMA. THE ENTIRE BATTALION SAW PROLONGED SERVICE WITH COMBAT UNITS IN NORTHERN BURMA SERVING SIDE BY SIDE WITH MERRILL'S MARAUDERS. IT OPERATED TELEPHONE, TELETYPE AND RADIO INSTALLATIONS ALONG THE LEDO ROAD FROM LEDO TO MYITKYINA, WHERE INSTALLATIONS WERE MADE UNDER INTENSE ENEMY SHELL FIRE. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.