World War II Honoree

Wilbert Hase Gallop

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Portsmouth, Virginia

Honored By

Aretha Hodgkins

Relationship

Niece

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER. ENLISTED IN U.S. NAVY IN APRIL 1939. AFTER 2 YEARS IN CUBA, BEGAN WARTIME ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH INCLUDED DUTY IN THE ATLANTIC (EARLY IN WAR). LATER PARTICIPATED IN MOST OF THE MAJOR OPERATIONS IN PACIFIC. TOOK PART IN BATTLES OF CAPE ESPERANCE, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, HULA GULF, VELA GULF, PHILIPPINES SEA AND GUAM. RECEIVED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC COMMENDATION MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDALS. PROMOTED TO CHIEF IN JULY 1945. SERVED 2 YEARS AT SOUTHGATE, PORTSMOUTH AND THEN TRANSFERRED FIRST TO USS DEUEL, THEN TO USS VERMILION, SERVED ABOUT A MONTH.