World War II Honoree

Estelle Lee Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Sam E. Anderson

Relationship

Brother

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON OCTOBER 7, 1943. TRAINED AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION IN FARRAGUT, IDAHO. ASSIGNED TO THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS PETROF BAY CVE-80 LAUNCHED ON JANUARY 5, 1945. FIRST CRUISE WAS AS A FERRY TRANSPORT OF REPLACEMENT PLANES AND PARTS TO MICRONESIA. PARTICIPATED IN FIRST OFFENSIVE STRIKES AT THE INVASION OF PELELIU ISLAND AND ENGAGED IN COMBAT THROUGH THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE INVASION OF OKINAWA. EARNED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION IN 1999), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 1 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO ASSIGNED BRIEFLY TO CARRIER AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT 6. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SEAMAN FIRST CLASS ON DECEMBER 9, 1945 AT GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS.