World War II Honoree

William H. Drayton

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Terry MacDonald

HE SERVED ABOARD THE HEAVY CRUISER USS INDIANAPOLIS CA-35. IN 1944 SAW ACTION IN THE PACIFIC THEATER AT THE GILBERT, MARSHALL, MARIANA ISLANDS, PELELIU AND IWO JIMA ISLANDS. HE SERVED WITH THE FLAGSHIP OF THE 5TH FLEET. IN JULY 1945 DELIVERED URANIUM 235 TO TINIAN ISLAND FOR THE ATOMIC BOMBS.THE SHIP WAS SUNK ON JULY 30, 1945, ONE OF THE LAST SHIPS SUNK IN THE WAR. HE WAS ONE OF 316 SURVIVORS OUT OF A CREW OF 1,196 SAILORS.