World War II Honoree

Salomon Oviedo

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE WAS SWORN INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1941. HE ATTENDED BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP FANNIN IN EAST TEXAS. HE WAS TRAINED AS A COOK, AND IMMEDIATELY SHIPPED TO THE WEST COAST AND ASSIGNED TO THE 108TH INFANTRY. AFTER A SHORT TRAINING SESSION IN ADVANCE INFANTRY AND THE USE OF THE RIFLE AND SMALL ARMS, HE WAS PLACED ON A TROOP TRANSPORT AND FORWARDED TO MAUI IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. THERE HE RECEIVED TRAINING IN LANDING TACTICS. HIS FIRST DUTY WAS THE LANDING ON THE BEACH AT LUZON ON THE ISLAND OF LEYTE TO RID THE ISLAND OF THE JAPANESE. HE SPENT THE REMAINING THREE YEARS IN THE INVASION AND CLEARING OUT OF THE JAPANESE ON THE PACIFIC ISLANDS INCLUDING GUADALCANAL. AFTER THE SURRENDER OF THE JAPANESE HE WAS SHIPPED BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO WHERE HE WAS PLACED ON A TROOP TRAIN BACK TO FORT SAM HOUSTON. AT FORT SAM HOUSTON HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY. DURING HIS TOUR HE RECEIVED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE STARS, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR, AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.