World War II Honoree

Otis Earl Bethard

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Farmer City, Illinois

Honored By

John W. Overton

OCCUPATION: WATER TENDER. RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER LEVEL IN STEAM BOILERS AND FOR AIR PRESSURE IN BOILER ROOMS. SPENT ENTIRE SEA DUTY ON HEAVY CRUISER USS PORTLAND. SHIP SUPPORTED TROOPS DURING INVASIONS OF PACIFIC ISLANDS TARAWA AND LEYTE; ALSO OKINAWA WHERE JAPANESE KAMIKAZE ATTACKS WERE INTRODUCED.