World War II Honoree

Donald Wayne Birdsong

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Apache, Oklahoma

Honored By

Frances Birdsong

Relationship

Wife

PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS. INDUCTED INTO U.S. NAVY ON DECEMBER 31, 1943 AT ANADARKO, OKLAHOMA. COMPLETED A 20-WEEK RADIO SCHOOL AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AND THEN SENT OVERSEAS. SERVED AS A RADIOMAN IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC ON THE USS CURRITUCK AV-7 WHICH WAS CLASSIFIED AS A SEAPLANE TENDER. THE CURRITUCK ACTED AS A MOTHER SHIP AS HER CREW TENDED TO THE REPAIR AND SERVICING OF SQUADRONS OF LONG DISTANCE SEAPLANES, USING THE SURROUNDING WATER TO LAUNCH AND RECOVER PLANES. ARRIVED IN PHILIPPINE WATERS IN OCTOBER 1944 AND DIRECTED PATROL PLANE OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE OCCUPATION OF LEYTE. CREW PERFORMED DUTIES IN ENEMY TERRITORY DURING WINDS UP TO 50 KNOTS, EXTREME TURBULENCE, LOW CEILINGS AND POOR VISIBILITY. HONOREE DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 23, 1952. AWARDED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC MEDAL, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON.