World War II Honoree

Jack Gannon

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

North Grafton, Massachusetts

Honored By

Lorraine Gannon, Paul and Raymond Gannon and Diane Gannon

Relationship

Wife & Children

SERVED ABOARD THE USS SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), USS AMERICAN LEGION (APA-17), AND USS ACHERNAR (AKA-53). EARNED 5 BATTLE STARS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE BATTLE OF THE SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS, 1942; THE SECOND NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL, 1942; INVASION OF NORMANDY, 1944; THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE, 1944; AND THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA, 1945. DURING THE OKINAWA BATTLE HE EARNED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED WHEN THE USS ACHERNAR WAS HIT BY A JAPANESE KAMIKAZE PLANE. IN 1945, WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED BUT, IN 1946 WAS AWARDED THE NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION RIBBON FOR COMBAT ACTION ABOARD THE USS SOUTH DAKOTA DURING THE SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS BATTLE IN 1942.