Born in San Francisco, California, June 18, 1919, Graduated from the Bates School, San Francisco, December 1937
Enrolled in the University of California, Davis January 1938
Completed three semesters in residence
Military Service
MILITARY HISTORY
01 304 228
Military Training
Inducted Army of the United States, 16 May 1942 as Private; entered on active duty same date.
May to Sep 1942; assigned to Company L, 109th Infantry Reserve, Camp Livingston, Louisiana.
Sep to Dec 1942; assigned to 17th Company, 2nd Student Training Regiment, ISSC, Ft. Benning, Ga. Graduated from the Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, 15 December 1942 and honorably discharged.
Active Service Assignments
Dec 1942 to Oct 1943; Platoon Leader, Company I, 342d Infantry Regiment, Camp Howze, Texas.
Oct to Dec 1943; Army Ground Force Replacement Depot No. 2, Ft. Ord, California.
Jan to Feb 1944; Commanding Officer, Service Company, 161st Infantry, APO 25 (Asiatic-Pacific Area).
Feb 1944 to Jan 1945; Platoon Leader, Company C, 161st Infantry, Philippines.
In Service 2 years, 8 months and 11 days.
Grades Held
Private, AUS, 16 May 1942
Private First Class, 1 September 1942
Corporal, 15 September 1942
Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 16 December 1942; accepted appointment and entered on active duty same date.
Lieutenant Katon was killed in action* 26 January 1945, near San Manuel, Philippines.
*Lieutenant Katon lost his life while acting as Commanding Officer of Company C, 161st Infantry. His Company saw action in the initial landing at Luyayen Gulf, P. I., 16 January 1945 and participated in the fighting across the Panzasinan Peninsula and in the final action at San Manuel. His Regiment received the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation from General MacArthur for its conduct and the results of this battle.
Decorations and Awards
BRONZE STAR MEDAL.
PURPLE HEART (Posthumous).
PURPLE HEART.
AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL.
ASIA-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL with one Bronze Service Star for the Luzon Campaign.
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL.
PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON with one Bronze Service Star.
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION BADGE.
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE.