World War II Honoree

Leland Atkisson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 10, 1942 AT SCOTT FIELD ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE ARMY AIR FORCES, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF MEDICAL CORPSMAN (657). SERVED WITH U.S. UNITS UNTIL JANUARY 25, 1944 WHEN HE DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. RETURNED TO THE STATES ON JANUARY 20, 1945 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO SQUADRON E MEDICS, SAN ANTONIO DISTRICT, ARMY AIR FORCES PERSONNEL DISTRIBUTION COMMAND. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE 1ST CLASS ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1945 AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.