World War II Honoree

Clay Hoahwah

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Indiahoma, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE ON OCTOBER 1, 1940 IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, BEFORE THE UNITED STATES ENTERED THE WAR. HIS BATTALION STAGED AT CAMP STONEMAN AT PITTSBURG, CALIFORNIA UNTIL SAILING FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO PORT OF EMBARKATION ON MAY 1, 1943 ABOARD THE USS PRESIDENT JOHNSON AND ARRIVING AT TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA ON MAY 26, 1943. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 871ST ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION. SAILED FROM AUSTRALIA TO PORT MORESBY, IN PAPUA, NEW GUINEA, ARRIVING ON JUNE 5, 1943. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA, AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. STATIONED AT TSILI TSILI, NADZAB, AND GUSAP IN NEW GUINEA, AND MOVED TO BIAK ISLAND OFF THE NORTHWEST COAST OF NEW GUINEA IN THE DUTCH EAST INDIES ON JULY 8, 1944. ARRIVED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON FEBRUARY 28, 1945. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS (2 CAMPAIGNS), AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AT CAMP CHAFFEE AT FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS ON MAY 17, 1945 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.