World War II Honoree

Victor Cataldo

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Robert J. Durand

Relationship

Shipmate

SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN AND PACIFIC THEATERS. PARTICIPATED IN MAJOR COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC CAMPAIGNS. SERVED ON THE USS LUDLOW DD-438, USS BRISTOL DD-453 (SUNK) AND USS RICHARD P. LEARY DD-664. TOOK PART IN INVASION OF THE MARIANA ISLANDS, PALAU ISLANDS, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, LEYTE GULF, LINGAYEN GULF, SURFACE BATTLE OF SURIGAO STRAIT; WHILE UNDER HEAVY FIRE DELIVERED 2 TORPEDO HITS ON JAPANESE BATTLESHIP YAMASHIRO. PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF IWO JIMA, OKINAWA AND OCCUPATION OF NORTHERN HONSHU, JAPAN. RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART, NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BATTLE STAR, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 6 BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ASIA CLASP AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BATTLE STARS. SERVED ABOARD USS ROLETTE AKA-99, SUPPORT SHIP FOR THE ATOMIC BOMB TESTING IN THE PACIFIC.