World War II Honoree

George Franklin Pless

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Cambridge, Alabama

Honored By

Marilyn Judith Carney

Relationship

Niece

MACHINIST'S MATE 2ND CLASS. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER FROM AUGUST 6, 1943 TO MAY 23, 1946. HE SERVED ON THE USS PATUXENT AO-44 FROM DECEMBER 30, 1943 TO FEBRUARY 1945. HE WATCHED, HELPLESS, FROM HIS SHIP,AS THE USS MISSISSINEWA AO-59 BURNED, AFTER BEING TORPEDOED. THIS WAS THE FIRST USAGE OF THE MANNED TORPEDO BY THE JAPANESE. TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE INVASION OF IWO JIMA HE WAS ON NIGHT DUTY, ALONE, FAR BELOW DECK, WHEN THE BIG FLEET OILER WAS RACKED BY AN INTERNAL EXPLOSION WHICH OCCURRED BELOW IN THE PAINT ROOM. THE ENTIRE END OF THE SHIP WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE YOUNG SAILOR REMEMBERED HIS TRAINING AND CONTINUED PERFORMING HIS SOLITARY DUTIES, KNOWING THAT IF THE SHIP WENT DOWN, HE WOULD SURELY DIE. THE BIG OILER WAS TOWED TO ULITHI FOR REPAIRS AND HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS NEWMAN K. PERRY DD-883, WHICH WAS COMMISSIONED ON JULY 26, 1945.