World War II Honoree

Antonio Morales

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Zapata, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE WAS SWORN INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY ON DECEMBER 11, 1941 AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE JAPANESE BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR. HE RECEIVED HIS BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP CHAFFEE, FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS. AFTER BASIC, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO FORT BENNING WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE MOTOR POOL DETACHMENT #2 SCHOOL OF TRANSPORTATION. HE WAS TRAINING IN TRUCK DRIVING, INFANTRY AND SMALL ARMS INCLUDING THE M-1 GARAND RIFLE. HE WAS THEN ASSIGNED TO FORT MCCLELLAN, ALABAMA FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING. HE THEN WAS SENT TO PORTLAND, OREGON TO PREPARE HIM FOR DUTY IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. ON MAY 13, 1942 HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE ISLANDS AND ON MAY 19, 1942 HE ARRIVED FOR DUTY. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE MOTOR POOL AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES AS A TRUCK DRIVER DELIVERING SUPPLIES, AND MUNITIONS UP AND DOWN THE ISLANDS. ON OCTOBER 20, 1943 HE WAS ASSIGNED BACK TO FORT MCCLELLAN, ALABAMA UNTIL HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY. ON DECEMBER 15, 1944 HE WAS PLACED ON A TROOP TRAIN FOR FORT SAM HOUSTON WHERE HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY. HE STAYED ON STANDBY SERVICE UNTIL HE WAS OFFICIALLY RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 3, 1945. DURING HIS TOUR HE RECEIVED THE AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON WITH 1 BRONZE STAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE SAW COMBAT BUT WAS NEVER INJURED.