World War II Honoree

Edward Bianchi

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Westminister, Colorado

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

PROUDLY SERVED IN PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ON USS COWPENS CVL-25; INVOLVED IN STRIKES ON WAKE ISLAND, THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, KWAJALEIN, ENIWETOK, TRUK, PALAU, YAP, ULITHI, SATAWAN, PONAPE AND SAIPAN. SUPPORTED RAIDS ON JIMA, PAGAN, LUZON, ROTA, GUAM, AND OKINAWA, AMONG OTHERS. TOOK PART IN THE BATTLES OF LEYTE GULF AND THE PHILIPPINES, KNOWN AS 'THE GREAT MARIANAS TURKEY SHOOT'. WAS ALMOST LOST IN THE PACIFIC TYPHOON DECEMBER15-17, 1944. USS COWPENS RECEIVED A UNIT CITATION AND 12 BATTLE STARS.