World War II Honoree

Dale Clifford Erwin

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AS A CARPENTER'S MATE 3RD CLASS AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AT SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1941. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS VARIOUSLY ABOARD THE USS RUSSELL (SIMS CLASS DESTROYER DD-414), THE USS CABOT (INDEPENDENCE CLASS AIRCRAFT CARRIER CVL-28), THE USS OCTANS (SUPPLY SHIP AF-26) AND THE USS THOMAS JEFFERSON (ATTACK TRANSPORT APA-30). AWARDED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 15 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, A NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL, THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, AND THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (AWARDED RETROACATIVELY BY 1999 CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION). COMMISSIONED AS A WARRANT OFFICER CARPENTER ON FEBRUARY 15, 1945. DETACHED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE AT U.S. NAVY RECEIVING STATION, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK ON NOVEMBER 12, 1946.