World War II Honoree

Thomas James Walsh

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Memphis, Tennessee

Honored By

Thomas J. Walsh Jr.

Relationship

Son

HE WAS DRAFTED INTO THE U.S. NAVY IN 1944. AFTER TRAINING IN THE GREAT LAKES HE SERVED IN THE PACIFIC ON THE USS DULUTH CL-87, A CLEVELAND-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER. WITH HIS SHARP EYESIGHT HE WAS ASSIGNED TO AIM THE SHIP'S GUNS (FIREMAN THIRD CLASS). HIS SHIP SAILED FROM NORFOLK, VIRGINIA ON APRIL 7, 1945 ARRIVING IN PEARL HARBOR ON APRIL 29. ON MAY 8 SHE GOT UNDERWAY TO JOIN THE 5TH FLEET AND RENDEZVOUSED WITH THE FAST CARRIERS ON MAY 27. THE DULUTH SUFFERED SEVERE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO HER BOW IN A TYPHOON JUNE 5, 1945 FORCING HER TO RETURN TO GUAM FOR REPAIRS AND THEREBY MISSING POSSIBLE COMBAT. AFTERWARDS SHE REJOINED FLEET ON JULY 21 TO SCREEN DURING THE FINAL AIR STRIKES ON THE JAPANESE HOMELAND, WHICH CONTINUED TO THE END OF THE WAR IN AUGUST. SHORTLY AFTER THE WAR ENDED, HIS SHIP ENTERED TOKYO BAY ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1945. HIS SHIP ARRIVED IN SEATTLE ON OCTOBER 19, 1945 FOR NAVY DAY CELEBRATIONS AND AFTER THAT HE TOOK THE TRAIN HOME.