World War II Honoree

Richard Gordon Haffa

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Waterloo, Iowa

Honored By

Susan Haffa Davison

Relationship

Daughter

Jan 1 1942 Inducted as private at Fort Des Moines, IA. Jan-Apr 1942 Trained in Infantry Wire Communications at Camp Roberts, CA 128th Infantry regiment, 32nd Division (the "Red Arrow Division") Apr 22 1942 Set sail on the ship "Monterey" for Port Adelaide, South Australia Sept 19 1942 Flew to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, where he participated in the Papuan Campaign, including the Battle of Buna. He received the Presidential Blue Unit Citation for the Papuan campaign as well as a Bronze star. He received the Combat Infantryman Badge for his service in Buna campaign. Jan 2 1943 Injured by land mine for which he received the Purple Heart award. He refused an offer for a medical disability discharge and spent the rest of his time serving as Base Censor in Sydney, Papua New Guinea, and Manila. Aug 31 1945 Shipped out on the same ship, the Monterey, to return to CA. Sept 28 1945 Honorably discharged at Fort Leavenworth at rank of Sergeant.