World War II Honoree

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

New York, New York

Honored By

Joe Arsena

Relationship

Movie Fan

APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TO SERVE AS A LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE IN THE NAVY RESERVES. HE BECAME THE FIRST AMERICAN OFFICER TO COMMAND A BRITISH FLOTILLA OF SMALL POWERED RAIDING CRAFT DURING A COMMANDO OPERATION IN WWII. IN 1942, HE BECAME CHIEF OFFICER OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND IN 1943, PARTICIPATED IN THE ALLIED INVASION OF SICILY AND ELBA. WORKED HIS WAY UP FROM NAVY LIEUTENANT TO COMMANDER AND FINALLY TO CAPTAIN.