World War II Honoree

James H. Gerkin

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Sioux City, Iowa

Honored By

Molly J. Johnston

Relationship

Daughter

PHARMACIST'S MATE 3RD CLASS. BOOT CAMP FARRAGUT, IDAHO. CORPSMAN SCHOOL, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. NAVY HOSPITAL DUTY, MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNED DUTY WITH A 30 MAN AMPHIBIOUS TEAM. COMBAT TRAINED WITH 81ST ARMY, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA. COMBAT TRAINED WITH 5TH MARINES, OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, SHIP TO SHORE COMBAT TRAINED, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA SERVED FROM JUNE 1943 TO JUNE 1946 ON THE USS OXFORD PA-189, ATTACK TRANSPORT. TRANSPORTED TROOPS TO NEW GUINEA, WAKE ISLAND. LANDED ON LEYTE, PHILIPPINES AND PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF LUZON AND OKINAWA. AWARDED 4 BATTLE RIBBONS AND 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS.