World War II Honoree

Nelson Ray Yankee

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

South Bend, Indiana

Honored By

Irene Yankee

Relationship

Wife

ENLISTED JANUARY 28, 1944 NAVAL RECRUITING STATION, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. BASIC TRAINING, U.S. NAVAL TRAINING STATION, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. TRANSFERRED TO RECEIVING STATION, SOUTH ANNEX, NAVAL OPERATING BASE, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA; ASSIGNED TO USS NEW YORK BB-34 FOR 5 MONTHS. TRANSFERRED TO RECEIVING STATION NEW YORK; ASSIGNED TO USS EDSALL DE-129. SERVED AS SEAMAN 1ST CLASS ABOARD USS EDSALL WHILE IT WAS FLAGSHIP FOR ESCORT DIVISION 59; MADE 7 ROUND TRIPS ACROSS ATLANTIC; ESCORTED CONVOYS OF TROOPS AND SUPPLIES TO TARANTO, ITALY; PLYMOUTH AND LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND; AND GREENOCK, SCOTLAND. AWARDED AMERICAN THEATRE CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATRE CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. DISCHARGED APRIL 22, 1946 FROM JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA AFTER PLACING USS EDSALL DE-129 IN MOTHBALLS.