World War II Honoree

E. Harold Wineland

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Mr. Gene K. Wineland

Relationship

Son

HOLDING AN ADVANCED COLLEGE DEGREE IN LAW, HE VOLUNTEERED FOR AND ACCEPTED A U.S. NAVY RESERVE OFFICER'S COMMISSION AS LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE RATHER THAN AN ENSIGN ON APRIL 11, 1944. AFTER INDOCTRINATION TRAINING BY THE MARITIME COLLEGE AT FORT SCHUYLER, BRONX, NEW YORK AND GUNNERY TRAINING BY THE ARMED GUARD SCHOOL AT CAMP SHELTON, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, HE WAS POSTED AS GUNNERY OFFICER ABOARD THE MERCHANT MARINE-CREWED, C-3 TYPE TROOPSHIP U.S. ARMY TRANSPORT FRED C. AINSWORTH SHORTLY AFTER OCTOBER 7, 1944. IN THIS POSITION HE COMMANDED THE NAVAL ARMED GUARD ABOARD THE SHIP COMPRISING SOME 20 U.S. NAVY GUNNERS, RADIO OPERATORS AND SIGNALMEN. HIS SHIP OPERATED MOSTLY IN THE PACIFIC, EXCEPT FOR ONE BRIEF CRUISE TO EUROPE IN MID-1945 TO HELP RE-DEPLOY U.S. TROOPS FROM MARSEILLES, FRANCE TO THE PACIFIC THEATER IN ANTICIPATION OF THE INVASION OF JAPAN. ALTHOUGH NEVER ENGAGED BY THE ENEMY, THE SHIP WAS OFTEN IN HARM'S WAY AND TRAILED BY SUBMARINES. CREDITED WITH ACTIVE DUTY IN THE AMERICAN, EUROPEAN AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATERS. AWARDED THE PHILIPPINES LIBERATION CAMPAIGN MEDAL. SEPARATED FROM THE SERVICE ON DECEMBER 29, 1945 AS A FULL LIEUTENANT.