World War II Honoree

Raymond L. Godown, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Cedarville, New Jersey

Honored By

David R. Godown & Martie Godown

Relationship

Son & Daughter

SERVED AS MACHINIST'S MATE 3RD CLASS ASSIGNED TO USS OMMANEY BAY CVE-79. SAW ACTION IN THE PALAU ISLANDS CAMPAIGN, BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF AND SUPPORTED OPERATIONS ON THE ISLAND OF MINDORO. ON JANUARY 4, 1945 IN THE SULU SEA, THE USS OMMANEY BAY WAS STRUCK BY A JAPANESE KAMIKAZE AND LATER ORDERED TO BE SUNK BY A TORPEDO FROM THE USS BURNS DD-588. HE WAS RESCUED FROM THE USS OMMANEY BAY BY THE USS BURNS DD-588 AND THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE USS COLUMBIA CL-56 ONLY TO BE SEVERELY WOUNDED A FEW DAYS LATER DURING A KAMIKAZE ATTACK. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.