World War II Honoree

Thaddeus R. 'Ted' Bednarz

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

SEAMAN FIRST CLASS. ENLISTED AUGUST 22, 1944. ATTENDED: BOOT TRAINING AT NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, GREAT LAKES; GUNNER'S MATE SCHOOL AT U.S. NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, FARRAGUT, IDAHO. SERVED ABOARD AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ESSEX (CV-9), TASK FORCE 38 IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. THE ESSEX WAS DUBBED, 'THE FIGHTINGEST SHIP IN THE NAVY'. SERVED AS GUNNER'S MATE ON A 20MM GUN BATTERY. AWARDED: PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, AMERICAN THEATRE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATRE MEDAL WITH ONE BATTLE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH ONE BATTLE STAR. AFTER THE WAR, CHOSE TO REMAIN IN THE NAVAL RESERVE, TO RETIRE AS A CHIEF WARRANT ORDNANCE OFFICER.