World War II Honoree

John T. Ferraris

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Stamford, Connecticut

Honored By

Phyllis Ferraris

Relationship

Daughter

JOINED THE U.S. NAVY DURING WWII. HIS FINAL ASSIGNMENT WAS ABOARD THE USS STAFFORD, A DESTROYER ESCORT, IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. ON JANUARY 5, 1945, DURING A SEA BATTLE, HIS SHIP WAS STRUCK AND NEARLY SUNK BY A JAPANESE KAMIKAZE BUT MANAGED TO STEAM TO SAN PEDRO BAY, LEYTE, WHERE MONTHS OF REPAIRS BEGAN. ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, ONLY FIVE WEEKS AFTER A THIRD OF THE CITY WAS DESTROYED BY AN ATOMIC BOMB, THE SHIP SAILED INTO NAGASAKI HARBOR AND PICKED UP RECENTLY FREED AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR.