World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Paul L. Hebert
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Columbia, South Carolina
Honored By
Paul L. Hebert
Relationship
Self
Joined the Naval reserves April 1940. Served the summer on the USS Breckenridge DE-148. Released to finish high school and recalled June 1, 1941. Attended radio school in Charleston, South Carolina. Assigned to Torpedo Squadron 9 in Norfolk, Virginia. Sent to Cape May, New Jersey for anti-submarine duty for 6 months. Returned to Norfolk, Virginia for training on 'Avenger' bomber-torpedo planes. Boarded USS Essex and left for Honolulu which was base for 10 months duty in the war zone. First mission was Marcus Island. Then to Wake Island, Invasion of Tarawa, Roi Namur, Rabaul, Truk and Saipan. Received two Air Medals and special commendation from Admiral Nimitz for torpedo hit at Rabaul. Discharged in Seattle in 1945.