World War II Honoree

Loran William 'Bill' Behrens

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Albert City, Iowa

Honored By

Janet Behrens

Relationship

Wife

ENLISTED IN THE U.S. NAVY IN 1937 AND SERVED ON BOARD THE HEAVY 'TREATY' CRUISER, USS AUGUSTA (CA-31), 'AUGIE MARU', THE FLAGSHIP OF THE U.S. ASIATIC FLEET STATIONED IN SHANGHAI, CHINA UNTIL NOVEMBER 1940, WHEREBY THE SHIP RETURNED FOR DUTY WITH THE ATLANTIC FLEET. PARTICIPATED IN THE PLACENTIA BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND, MEETING WITH FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT AND WINSTON CHURCHILL IN AUGUST 1941. SERVED ON THE FLAGSHIP OF THE MOROCCAN INVASION FORCE (OPERATION TORCH) IN 1942. PARTICIPATED IN SUPPORTING THE BRITISH HOME FLEET IN SCAPA FLOW, SCOTLAND IN AUGUST 1943. HE LATER SERVED ON LST AT UTAH BEACH IN THE NORMANDY INVASION.