World War II Honoree

Frederick Maurice Harmon

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Floyd, Virginia

Honored By

Stephana Harmon Barton

Relationship

Daughter

HE SERVED AS A BOATSWAIN'S MATE 2ND CLASS IN THE 3RD DIVISION IN THE U.S. NAVAL RESERVES. SERVICE NUMBER 6584329. HE HELD AN UNUSUAL DISTINCTION IN THAT HE WAS A PLANK-OWNING CREW MEMBER OF BOTH THE USS INDIANA BB-58 AND THE USS ALABAMA BB-50 BATTLESHIPS. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS INDIANA BB-58 WHEN IT WAS FIRST COMMISSIONED AND THEN WENT ON A SHAKEDOWN CRUISE. HE WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE USS ALABAMA BB-60 WHEN SHE WAS FIRST COMMISSIONED IN AUGUST 1942. HE SERVED FOR 3 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AND 21 DAYS AND PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS PROTECTING THE NORTH ATLANTIC SUPPLY ROUTES. HE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS WITH THE BRITISH HOME FLEET OUT OF SCAPA FLOW, OFF THE COAST OF SCOTLAND, INCLUDING THE NORWAY INVASION FEINT, AUGUST 1942 TO THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF 1943. IN THE FALL OF 1943 HE WENT TO THE PACIFIC AND WAS PART OF THE 3RD AND 5TH FLEETS. HE MANNED HIS BATTLE STATION AS A LOOKOUT IN THE CROWS NEST AND AS RAMMER MAN IN THE BIG 16-INCH GUN TURRETS THROUGH MANY MAJOR ACTIONS, INCLUDING THE PHILIPPINES SEA BATTLES AND THE 1ST TASK FORCE RAIDS ON FORMOSA AND THE RYUKYU ISLANDS.