Grave marker for Douglas C. Dillard in Section 31, Site 1154, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington (Arlington county), Virginia.

The following is a brief clipping out of a full page listing Georgia National Guard units awaiting call up for activation ...

Company "D" Located at Macon Captain Michael A. Meath, First Lieutenant James E. Bryant, Second Lieutenant Roy. W. Hogan, Second Lieutenant Thomas A. Johnston, Enlisted personnel: John B. Shadburn, Jr., Ernest C. Dillard ...  [The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, GA, 31 Jul 1940, Wed, Page 1]

Ernest was inducted into the Army at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA on 25 October 1942 and was assigned to Hq 1st, 508th PIR.

On 18 August 1943 Cpl Dillard was transferred in the grade of Private to the ASTP* Unit at Clemson Agricultural College, Clemson, SC.

*ASTP Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) - WWII instituted to meet wartime demands both for junior officers and soldiers with technical skills.]