World War II Honoree

Walter Fontaine

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

New Orleans, Louisiana

Honored By

Ellen Olander

Relationship

Niece

FLEW A DIVE BOMBER IN BOMBING SQUADRON 15, ATTACHED TO THE USS ESSEX. RECEIVED THE NAVY CROSS FOR HIS PART IN SINKING THE JAPANESE BATTLESHIP MUSASHI OFF THE PHILIPPINE ISLAND OF SIBUYAN DURING THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF ON OCTOBER 24, 1944. HE HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED THE AIR MEDAL FOR HIS ACTIONS DURING AN ATTACK ON AN ISLAND IN THE MARIANA GROUP ON JUNE 25, 1944 AND LATER, A GOLD STAR IN LIEU OF THE 2ND AIR MEDAL FOR HIS ACTIONS AS A PILOT IN NUMEROUS STRIKES AGAINST ENEMY POSITIONS AND SHIPPING AT MARCUS AND WAKE ISLANDS IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS, THE BONINS, PALAU AND THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FROM MAY 19 TO SEPTEMBER 24, 1944.