World War II Honoree

Edwin 'Eddie' Joseph Rapacz

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Wanda Rapacz

Relationship

Wife

HE ENTERED THE SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 9, 1944. HE TRAINED AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION IN FARRAGUT, IDAHO, THE U.S. NAVAL TRAINING CENTER AT GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, THE AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING BASE AT CAMP BRADFORD AND THE NAVAL OPERATING BASE IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA AND USS LST 951. HE SERVED IN SOUTH PACIFIC INCLUDING OKINAWA, IE SHIMA, AGUNI SHIMA AND KUME SHIMA. HE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASIONS AT LEYTE, MANILA, LUZON, MINDORO, YOKOHAMA, SAIPAN, GUAM, GUADALCANAL, NEW CALEDONIA, TULAGI, SANTA CRUZ, RUSSELL ISLANDS, ESPIRITU SANTO AND SAMOA. HE RECEIVED ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON, AMERICAN AREA RIBBON AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON JUNE 25, 1946.