World War II Honoree

James S. Corcoran

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

James S. Corcoran

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE NOVEMBER 10, 1942 FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNED TO U.S. ARMY TROOP PROCESSING CENTER AS CLERK TYPIST PROCESSING NEW TROOPS ENTERING THE U.S. ARMY. END OF DECEMBER 1942, SHIPPED TO FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION. ASSIGNED TO THE 327TH GLIDER INFANTRY REGIMENT IN TRAINING FOR 16 WEEKS BASIC. AFTER TRAINING, WAS TRANSFERRED TO DIVISION HEADQUARTERS 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION ASSIGNED TO ACTING CHIEF OF SG-1 SECTION UNDER COLONEL NED D. MOORE. WAS PROMOTED TO OPERATIONS SERGEANT, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. SEPTEMBER 1943 SHIPPED TO ENGLAND, EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. JUNE 6, 1944 NORMANDY INVASION. ENTERED OFF OMAHA BEACH WITH OUR INFANTRY TROOPS AND SET UP DIVISION HEADQUARTERS IN ST. MERE EGLISE. JULY 15, 1944, DIVISION RETURNED TO ENGLAND FOR REST AND RELAXATION. SEPTEMBER 17, 1944, DIVISION WENT IN ON HOLLAND INVASION. LANDED IN SON, HOLLAND WITH OUR GLIDER TROOPS. AFTER 73 DAYS IN HOLLAND DIVISION, RETURNED TO FRANCE. ON DECEMBER 16, 1944 DIVISION ENTERED BATTLE OF BASTOGNE. FROM BASTOGNE, WE ENTERED ACTION IN SOUTHERN FRANCE AND FROM THERE WE SAW ACTION IN GERMANY, AND THEN ONTO BERCHTESGADEN (HITLER'S HIDEOUT). WAR ENDED IN MAY 1945. I WAS DISCHARGED HONORABLY NOVEMBER 19, 1945 AT CAMP GRANT, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.