World War II Honoree

Thomas Vernon Mix

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Osborn, Missouri

Honored By

Mildred Mix McElwain

Relationship

Cousin

ENLISTED DECEMBER, 1941 AT KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. SERVED IN THE ASIAN PACIFIC ARENA IN THE FIRST BATTALION OF THE SEABEES. BECAUSE HE WAS A SKILLED MECHANIC, HE WAS SENT OVERSEAS TO TONGA TABU WITH HIS BATTALION. HE RECEIVED A BROKEN ANKLE AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO A HOSPITAL IN NEW ZEALAND AND TO SAN DIEGO NAVAL HOSPITAL. THEN REASSIGNED TO USS TRACY DM 19, A DESTROYER/MINE LAYER. DID CONVOY DUTY WITH THE BATTLE FLEETS OF GUADALCANAL/SOLOMON ISLANDS AREA. PLAYED AN ACTIVE PART IN CAMPAIGNS THROUGH SAIPAN, IWO JIMA, OKINAWA, JAPAN. WHEN PEACE WAS DECLARED, SHIP WAS SENT TO JAPAN TO CLEAR THE TOKYO BAY OF MINES SO THE USS MISSOURI COULD ENTER FOR THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE TREATY. ATTAINED THE RANK OF CHIEF MACHINIST MATE AND WAS DISCHARGED AT THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD WHERE HIS SHIP WAS COMMISSIONED.