World War II Honoree

Eldon C. 'Bus' Garrett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

Relationship

Friend

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 4, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED FOR THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745), AND ASSIGNED TO COMPANY C, 324TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 44TH INFANTRY DIVISION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ENTERED FRANCE VIA CHERBOURG AND COMBAT ON OCTOBER 18, 1944. FOUGHT THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED IN ACTION ON APRIL 14, 1945 IN VICINITY OF GREUSSENHEIM, BAVARIA. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THREE BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON NOVEMBER 10, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP CHAFFEE, ARKANSAS. ACTIVE IN AND COMMANDER OF VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 3999 AND AMERICAN LEGION POST 14 IN HIS HOMETOWN.