World War II Honoree

Charles Fredrick Winkelman

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Cushing, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY MAY 24, 1943. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE USS RAIL, A SEA-GOING TUGBOAT. HIS SHIP WAS ONE OF THE SALVAGE, FIREFIGHTING AND RESCUE UNITS ASSIGNED TO THE 7TH FLEET. IT WAS AWARDED THE NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION FOR SUSTAINED SERVICE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FROM OCTOBER 17, 1944 TO JUNE 10, 1945 AND FOR CONDUCTING EMERGENCY CLEARING OF MANILA HARBOR. HIS SHIP OPERATED UNDER VIRTUALLY CONTINUOUS ENEMY ATTACK DURING ASSAULT LANDINGS AT LEYTE, ORMOC AND LINGAYEN GULF WHILE FIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND REPAIRING, RE-FLOATING AND SALVAGING VITAL COMBATANT SHIPS. IN ADDITION TO THESE TASKS, AT MANILA, HE PARTICIPATED IN THE RAISING, REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF JAPANESE UNDERWATER ORDNANCE TO OPEN THE PORT TO ALLIED USE. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON MARCH 25, 1946.