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World War II Honoree

World War II Veteran

Edwin Heilakka

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY IN 1942 AND SERVED ON THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS FRANKLIN WHEN IT WAS BOMBED BY A KAMIKAZE PILOT IN MARCH 1945 IN KOBE HARBOR. AFTER THE SHIP WAS ENVELOPED BY FIRE, IT LAY IN THE WATER 50 MILES OFF THE JAPANESE MAINLAND. HALF THE 1,700 MEN ON BOARD WERE KILLED. WITH 265 INJURED, THE FRANKLIN WAS TOWED TO PEARL HARBOR FOR REPAIRS.