World War II Honoree

Alton Kenney Banks

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Fayetteville, Georgia

Honored By

Wanda D. Banks

Relationship

Daughter

HE SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. HE WAS AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AMERICAN AREA CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 1 BATTLE STAR, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH 1 BATTLE STAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY RIBBON. HE SERVED FROM NOVEMBER 11, 1942 TO JANUARY 24, 1946. HE JOINED THE NAVY AND WAS STATIONED AT THE NAVAL AIR STATION IN CHAMBLEE, GEORGIA. HE BECAME AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC CREW CHIEF AND ATTENDED A SCHOOL IN HUTCHINSON, KANSAS AND TRAINED FOR MAINTENANCE ON THE B-24 AND NAVY VERSIONS OF THIS PLANE, THE PB4Y1 AND THE PB4Y2 LARGE BOMBERS. HE LEFT ON THE U.S. ARMY TRANSPORT SHIP FROM CALIFORNIA AND WENT TO THE MARSHALL ISLANDS AND THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS. IN NEW GUINEA THEY JOINED A CONVOY AND RECEIVED ORDERS OF THE PHILIPPINES HAVING BEEN RE-INVADED. HE ARRIVED IN THE PHILIPPINES AFTER THE INITIAL RE-INVASION AND DOCKED BARGING BACK AND FORTH TO LEYTE. HIS OUTFIT WAS THE COMBAT AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT FORWARD 9 AND ON APRIL 5, 1945 THEY HEADED TO PALAWAN AFTER GETTING THE WORD THAT THE JAPANESE HAD SURRENDERED. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED JANUARY 24, 1946.HIS RATINGS INCLUDE SEAMAN 1ST CLASS, AVIATION MACHINIST'S MATE 3RD CLASS AND AVIATION MACHINIST'S MATE 2ND CLASS.