World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Billy R. Featherston
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Taylor, Texas
Honored By
Billy R. Featherston
SERVICE FROM SEPTEMBER 1943 - NOVEMBER 1946. RECRUIT TRAINING AT NAVAL TRAINING CENTER (NTC) IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA; STOREKEEPERS SCHOOL AT FARRAGUT, IDAHO AND MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA. USS THORN DD-647 6-7-44 TO 4-15-46. CAMPAIGN FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, INCLUDING LUZON, FORMOSA, LEYTE GULF AND THE BATTLE OF SURIGAO STRAITS. ON TO THE CAMPAIGNS OF IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA. FINALLY INTO TOKYO BAY FOR JAPANESE SURRENDER AND PEACE SIGNING. COMPLETED AROUND THE WORLD TRIP, LEFT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA IN 1944 AND RETURNED TO NEW YORK VIA THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SOUTH AFRICA, ARRIVED IN NEW YORK ON DECEMBER 7, 1945. THE USS THORN PARTICIPATED IN 7 INVASIONS, 2 SHORE BOMBARDMENTS, SUNK 6 ENEMY MINES AND PICKED UP 13 DOWNED PILOTS, AS WELL AS SINKING 1 JAPANESE WARSHIP AND SHOT DOWN 2 JAPANESE AIRCRAFT. FINISHED SERVICE AT 16TH FLEET STAFF HEADQUARTERS IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.