World War II Honoree

Arnold William Hasselmann

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Des Plaines, Illinois

Honored By

Robert W. Hasselmann

Relationship

Grandson

Served in the 3rd Infantry Division in the United States Army. He was in the 15th Infantry Regiment. HE was among the first residents of Des Plaines, Illinois to be drafted, and served on active duty before the U.S. became involved in WWII. For this reason, he was awarded the American Defense SERVICE Medal. He fought in North Africa, Sicily, mainland Italy, southern France, Austria, and Germany. HE Participated in amphibious landings at Sicily and Southern France. He was allowed to return home after V-E Day because he was among the first American soldiers to participate in combat during the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign. He earned the American Defense SERVICE Medal, Good conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal, and French Croix de Guerre Medal.