World War II Honoree

Valiston Gunter

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Columbia, South Carolina

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH COMPANY F, 2ND BATTALION, 108TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 40TH INFANTRY 'GRIZZLY' DIVISION. HIS REGIMENT PARTICIPATED IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO, LUZON, LEYTE, AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGNS. THE REGIMENT ARRIVED AT CAPE GLOUCESTER, ON NEW BRITAIN ISLAND IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO ON APRIL 28, 1944 AND SERVED THERE UNTIL DECEMBER 9, 1944. LANDED AT LINGAYEN GULF ON LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON JANUARY 10, 1945 AND SERVED THERE THROUGH MARCH 8, 1945. NEXT SERVED AT LEYTE IN THE PHILIPPINES BEGINNING MARCH 13, 1945. ASSAULTED MACJALAR BAY, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES ON MAY 10, 1945. SERVED WITH OCCUPATION FORCES IN KOREA BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 1, 1945. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD DEVICE, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR SERVICE IN THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 17, 1944 TO JULY 4, 1945. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.