World War II Honoree

Robert Dean Gillan

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Eureka, Illinois

Honored By

Jeff Gillan

Relationship

Cousin once removed

He served in the 101st Cavalry Regiment, after graduating high school and leaving college to enlist in December 1942. He was stationed at bases in New York, Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia, where the regiment's initial job was coastal defense. On October 31, 1944, the 101st sailed from New York City bound for England. In January 1945 the 101st arrived in France and headed toward Germany. He served with Troop B of the 101st mechanized reconnaissance squadron, which pushed into western Germany meeting stiff resistance. He was killed in action on April 9, 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart posthumously.