World War II Honoree

Joseph J. Wilmers

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Cincinnati, Ohio

Honored By

Sandy

Relationship

Niece

ENLISTED MARCH 21, 1944; HONORABLE DISCHARGE MAY 6, 1946. TRAINED BOOT CAMP, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. SERVED ABOARD LST 458, 13TH LST BUILT, EVANSVILLE, INDIANA. TRANSPORTED MEN AND MATERIAL, TRUCKS, TANKS, MEN AND MATERIAL, WHEREVER NEEDED. PREPARED FOR BATTLE, POINTER GUNNER. BOARDED SHIP IN NEW GUINEA, LIBERATION OF PHILIPPINES, LEYTE BAY. ATTACKED BY KAMIKAZE PLANES, SUCCESSFUL IN SHOOTING PLANE DOWN. OFF THE COAST OF HIROSHIMA, JAPAN WHEN ATOM BOMB WAS DROPPED. SAW MUSHROOM 'SUCCESS'; WE WERE ORDERED TO TURN TWO, LANDED IN HAWAII FOR TWO WEEKS. BACK TO U.S., DECOMMISSIONED LST AT ORANGE, TEXAS. DISCHARGED 5/6/46 AT NAVY PIER, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. RECEIVED THE AMERICAN AREA CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC AREA CAMPAIGN METAL WITH 2 STARS; PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH 2 STARS; AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.