Willard Melvin Chessman

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Awarded for military service for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is highly likely, but unconfirmed that SSG Chessman was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
No  Application For Headstone or Marker, OQMG Form 623
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
Yes News Paper Accident Report, Amarillo Texas
Yes Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
Yes Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Records

WWII Draft Card Data
Willard Melvin Chessman
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 19
Birth Date: January 26, 1923  -  Birth Place: Longbranch, Pierce County, Washington
Residence Place: Longbranch, Pierce, Washington
Registration Date: June 30, 1942  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Tom Collins
Weight: 158, Height: 5' 6"
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Hazel   -  Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: W E Chessman
Members of Household: Willard Melvin Chessman, Self

WWII Hospital Admission Records
No Records Found

Note 1: The death location, "Near Amarillo, Texas" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of SSG Chessman, this location was verified on:

A. SSG Chessman had been an Army Air Forces crew member surviving a number of missions over Europe and had been recently stationed at Amarillo Air Base, Texas, for Advanced training.

B. According to a newspaper notice SSG Chessman had been walking on U.S. Highway 66 about a mile east of where the highway joins U.S. Highway 60 and was the victum of a hit-and-run accident on February 3rd 1945.

C. A later newspaper report indicated that SSG Chessman was hit by a Ford single-wheel truck.

D. Further information on Amarillo Field/Amarillo Army Airfield (1942-1946) can be found at the Wikipedia website Amarillo Field.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - See Note 2

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