World War II Honoree

William Preston Monteith

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Pennsylvania

Honored By

Steven C. Rullo

Relationship

Friend

HE SERVED FROM AUGUST 24, 1944 TO JUNE 5, 1946. HE WENT TO BOOT CAMP IN SAMPSON, NEW YORK. HE SERVED AS SEAMAN 1ST CLASS ABOARD THE USS DAYTON CL-105, COMMISSIONED IN PHILADELPHIA. THE SHIP WAS USED AS A PROTECTION FOR AIRCRAFT CARRIERS AND FOR BOMBARDMENTS IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. THEY PARTICIPATED A SHAKE-DOWN CRUISE AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA, THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL AND ARRIVED AT PEARL HARBOR. THEN ARRIVED AT SAN PEDRO BAY, LEYTE, THE PHILIPPINES IN JUNE 1945, DURING LUZON BATTLE TO JOIN THE 3RD FLEET. THEY BOMBARDED JAPAN WITH AIR AND SHIP STRIKES AND BROKE DOWN IN TOKYO BAY. THEY WERE ON BOARD THE USS MISSOURI AND PRESENT WHEN THE JAPANESE SURRENDERED. THEN LEFT TOKYO FOR THE USA IN NOVEMBER 1945.