World War II Honoree

Harold Mack 'Rags' Ragsdale, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Fort Gibson, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE ON MAY 20, 1942 AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. TOOK 'BOOT CAMP' AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA AND COMPLETED AVIATION MECHANIC TRAINING AT THE NAVAL AIR TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AND FOLLOW-ON TRAINING IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN. FOLLOWING GRADUATION, ASSIGNED TO CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. IN 1943, REASSIGNED TO TREASURE ISLAND IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY IN CALIFORNIA. IN NOVEMBER, 1943, SAILED OVERSEAS ABOARD A TROOP SHIP AND ARRIVED IN HAWAII AFTER 12 DAYS AT SEA. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH COMBAT AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT #20. STATIONED ON KWAJALEIN ATOLL AND ON ROI-NAMUR IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS. AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY HIS UNIT IN ACTION. ALSO AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 24, 1945 AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.