World War II Honoree

Phillip E. Ayers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cisne, Illinois

Honored By

Sylvia Ayers and Lynette Guthrie

Relationship

Family & Granddaughter

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 1 DECEMBER 1942 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR DUTY WITH THE ARMORED CAVALRY AND COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP BEAL, CALIFORNIA, AFTER WHICH HE WAS ASSIGNED TO TROOP C, 93RD CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON (MECHANIZED), ATTACHED TO THE 13TH ARMORED DIVISION IN TRAINING AT CAMP BOWIE, TEXAS. COMPLETED ADVANCED TRAINING AT THE ARMORED SCHOOL AT FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES OF SCOUT CAR DRIVER AND LOW SPEED RADIO OPERATOR. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON 18 JANUARY 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS, ARRIVING IN-THEATER ON 6 FEBRUARY 1945 AND ENTERING THE CONTINENT AT LE HAVRE, FRANCE ON 29 FEBRUARY. AFTER UNIT IN-THEATER TRAINING 'IN RESERVE', HE PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS TO INCLUDE COMBAT IN APRIL AND EARLY MAY UNDER GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD ARMY AND THE LIBERATION OF MAUTHAUSEN-GAUSEN, A CONCENTRATION CAMP IN AUSTRIA. DEPARTED THE EUROPEAN THEATER ON 19 JULY 1945, AND ARRIVED STATESIDE ON 27 JULY 1945. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE ON 23 NOVEMBER 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.