World War II Honoree

Raymond Earl 'Ray' Hawkins

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Pawnee, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SWORN INTO MILITARY SERVICE AS A SEAMAN APPRENTICE ON MARCH 31, 1944 AT AGE 17. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT GREAT LAKES NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, ILLINOIS. SERVED AS A COXSWAIN OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER DURING THE WAR, INCLUDING IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND AT OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1946 WITH THE RATING OF COXSWAIN AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.