World War II Honoree

Richard M. Yarnell

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Oak Lawn, Illinois

Honored By

USS Centaurus Shipmates

SERVED IN THE PACIFIC ABOARD THE COAST GUARD MANNED USS CENTAURUS AKA-17 WHICH RECEIVED 6 BATTLE STARS AND CREDITED WITH DOWNING 2 KAMIKAZE PLANES. THE SHIP PARTICIPATED IN AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULTS ON KWAJALEIN ATOLL, MARSHALL ISLANDS; AITAPE, NEW GUINEA; AGAT REEF, GUAM; LOS NEGROES, PELELIU AND OKINAWA ISLANDS. AT GUAM HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE YMS-242 DOING SHALLOW WATER MINE SWEEPING. HE WAS AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 5 BATTLE STARS AND THE COMBAT ACTION MEDAL.