World War II Honoree

Enio John Centofanti

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Columbus, Ohio

Honored By

CDR C. J. Blondin

HE SERVED ABOARD THE USS CALLAWAY APA-35 IN THE LINGAYEN GULF LOADED WITH TROOPS FOR THE INVASION OF LUZON. ON JANUARY 8, 1945 THE SHIP CAME UNDER REPEATED AIR ATTACKS AND AFTER REPULSING SEVERAL PLANES, A JAPANESE KAMIKAZE FIGHTER-BOMBER, WHICH WAS HIT AND BURNING, CRASHED INTO THE STARBOARD WING OF THE BRIDGE. CENTOFANTI, AT A 20MM GUN MOUNT ON THE BRIDGE, FEARLESSLY DIRECTED HIS GUN THROUGHOUT THE ATTACK AND WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED. HE WAS BURIED AT SEA ALONG WITH THIRTY SHIPMATES. HE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR MEDAL AND THE PURPLE HEART.