World War II Honoree

Thomas Bateman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 21ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 24TH INFANTRY 'VICTORY' DIVISION DURING THE WAR. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON JUNE 3, 1945, DURING A COMBAT PATROL OPERATION ON THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, DURING THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGN. HE DIED ON A COMBAT BUDDY'S SHOULDER AFTER BEING HIT BY JAPANESE MACHINE GUN FIRE. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, EXPERT MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION BADGE WITH EXPERT 'RIFLE' QUALIFICATION BAR, BRONZE STAR MEDAL AND PURPLE HEART POSTHUMOUSLY, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HE DIED WITH THE RANK OF PRIVATE AND THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON WAS ISSUED POSTHUMOUSLY.