World War II Honoree

Joseph L. Phelan

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

Brian & Jude Kasler

Relationship

Friends of American Legion Amity Post 791

ENLISTED ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1940 IN THE NEW YORK ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, 165TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 27TH DIVISION (THE FIGHTING 69TH). SERVED BASIC TRAINING AT FORT MCCLELLAN ALABAMA AND VOLUNTEERED FOR THE 27TH DIVISION MILITARY POLICE. IN JUNE OF 1944, HE AND HIS UNIT WERE SENT TO SAIPAN AND THEN ON TO ESPIRITU SANTO IN THE NEW HEBRIDES FOR RETRAINING AND REPLENISHMENT IN PREPARATION FOR THE INVASION OF OKINAWA. ON APRIL 10, 1945 HE HAD TWO SQUADS THAT WERE ATTACHED TO THE 3RD BATTALION, 105TH REGIMENT. THEY MADE A LANDING ON TSUGEN SHIMA, A SMALL ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF OKINAWA. HE AND HIS SQUADS WERE THE 4TH TO HIT THE BEACH. THEY EVENTUALLY MADE THEIR WAY TO THE MAIN ISLAND OF OKINAWA. HE AND HIS UNIT FOUGHT ON OKINAWA UNTIL THE JAPANESE SURRENDERED AND PEACE WAS DECLARED. ON OCTOBER 5, 1945, HE WAS DISCHARGED AT FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY.