World War II Honoree

Drew Vern Finley, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Shawnee, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

PARTICIPATED IN THE RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAM AT OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA FROM 1940-1943. INDUCTED AND CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN THE SPRING OF 1943. REPORTED TO THE RECEPTION CENTER AT FORT SILL AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA. ASSIGNED TO OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS), AND THE DAY PRIOR TO GRADUATION, WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF CORPORAL TO ACCEPT AN APPOINTMENT AS AN OFFICER. GRADUATED AND WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT. AFTER COMPLETION OF A PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION FOR LIAISON PILOTS, WAS AWARDED HIS SILVER LIAISON PILOT WINGS. ASSIGNED TO ORGANIC AIR OBSERVATION UNITS OF THE FIELD ARTILLERY AND SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS A LIAISON PILOT IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. STATIONED AT LEYTE IN SEPTEMBER, 1945, AFTER THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TERMS ON AUGUST 14, 1945. THE JAPANESE FORCES IN THE PHILIPPINES FORMALLY SURRENDERED ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1945. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY RESERVE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.