World War II Honoree

Anthony Balestrieri

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

San Diego, California

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

PROUDLY SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ON THE USS COWPENS CVL-25 WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN THE STRIKES ON WAKE ISLAND, THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, KWAJALEIN, ENIWETOK, TRUK, PALAU YAP, ULITHI, SATAWAN, PONAPE, SAIPAN AND SUPPORTING RAIDS ON JIMA, PAGAN, LUZON, ROTA, GUAM AND OKINAWA, AMONG OTHERS. TOOK PART IN THE BATTLES OF LEYTE GULF AND THE PHILIPPINES, ALSO KNOWN AS 'THE MARIANA TURKEY SHOOT'. WAS ALMOST LOST AT SEA DURING THE GREAT PACIFIC TYPHOON, DECEMBER 15-17, 1944. THE USS COWPENS RECEIVED A UNIT COMMENDATION AND 12 BATTLE STARS.