World War II Honoree

Kenneth Friend Palmer

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Meriden, Connecticut

Honored By

Ken Hoffman

Relationship

Nephew

ENLISTED FOR SERVICE ON OCTOBER 28, 1942 AT AGE 28, MAKING HIM AN 'OLD MAN' IN NAVY PARLANCE. AFTER THE GREAT LAKES TRAINING HE WAS BILLETED TO SAN FRANCISCO TO AWAIT A SHIP ASSIGNMENT. HE JOINED THE CREW OF LST-470 AND ENTERED THE WAR IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. HE WAS SOON TRANSFERRED TO LST-464 AND THE MAJORITY OF HIS SERVICE WAS ABOARD HER. THE LST 464 WAS THE ONLY 'LANDING SHIP TANK' EVER TO BE CONVERTED TO BE A MEDICAL SHIP WITH HOSPITAL CAPABILITY. SHE WAS HOWEVER, ARMED AND DID NOT FUNCTION UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE GENEVA CONVENTION. SHE DROVE ON TO BEACHES WHILE COMBAT WAS IN PROGRESS TO RETRIEVE AND TREAT THE WOUNDED BEFORE FERRYING THEM TO HOSPITAL SHIPS SAFELY DISTANCED FROM THE THEATER. KEN WAS INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS HARROWING EXPERIENCES. HIS SERVICE INCLUDED: SAMOA, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, NEW GUINEA, LEYTE GULF AND SUBIC BAY.