World War II Honoree

Grant Packer

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Honored By

Peggy Stallings

Relationship

Daughter

LEFT HIGH SCHOOL IN HIS JUNIOR YEAR AT AGE 17 TO ENLIST, AND SERVED THREE AND A HALF YEARS IN THE NAVY. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC ON THE USS ALMAACK AKA-10 IN THE BATTLE OF KWAJALEIN ATOLL IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS TAKING IT BACK FROM THE JAPANESE. HE ALSO SERVED ON THE USS BURLESON APA-67 IN THE BATTLE TO TAKE SAIPAN FROM THE JAPANESE. THE BURLESON WAS THE ONLY AMPHIBIAN SHIP INVOLVED IN BOTH SAIPAN AND GUAM BECAUSE IT WAS FASTER, WENT AT FLANK SPEED. THE LARGEST ISLAND THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH WAS OKINAWA.