World War II Honoree

Virgil Daniel Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Prescott, Arkansas

Honored By

Evelyn, Eddie & Donna Daniel

Relationship

Spouse & Children

ENTERED AT NEW ORLEANS IN APRIL, 1942 AND TRAINED AT SAN DIEGO. SERVED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC ABOARD THE USS LST 339 AT GUADALCANAL, THE RUSSELL ISLANDS, BOUGAINVILLE, THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER ISLANDS FROM APRIL, 1943, UNTIL DECEMBER, 1944. EXPERIENCED INTENSE ENEMY AIR STRIKES AND HIS SHIP RECEIVED CREDIT FOR MANY JAPANESE PLANES SHOT DOWN. THE USS LST 339 WAS AWARDED FOUR BATTLE STARS ON THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC SERVICE MEDAL, THE NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL, ASIA, AND THE NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION FOR 'GALLANT SERVICE' IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN. RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES IN DECEMBER, 1944, AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. NAVY CRUISER 'HELENA' IN JUNE, 1945. WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 20, 1945.