Robert McKay

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Army

Robert Willard McKay of Kelsey was inducted into the Army on June 9, 1944.

He was a Private First Class and a rifleman with Company I, 158th Regimental Combat Team in the Philippines. He was wounded in action on April 25, 1945.

"In April 1945 we made a beachhead at Legaspi. Then we trained on an island 28 miles south of Japan (for the invasion of Japan). They told us there would be 90 per cent casualties. It's a good thing they dropped the bomb or I would not be here. Then we went to Japan for occupation duty for two months."

Mr. McKay received the: Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal with two bronze battle stars, Philippine Liberation Medal and two overseas service bars.

He was discharged on Jan. 9, 1946.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 200.

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