World War II Honoree

Robert F. Cleary

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Peters Township, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Joseph Wolk Family

Relationship

Friends

ENLISTED SEPTEMBER 1, 1942 AND TRAINED AT GREAT LAKES TRAINING STATION. IN OCTOBER 1942, HE WAS SENT TO ORANGE, TEXAS WHERE HE WAS PLACED ABOARD THE NEWLY BUILT USS AULICK DD-569. IT WAS THE FIRST WARSHIP BUILT THERE SINCE THE CIVIL WAR. HE SAILED TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC IN JANUARY 1943 AS PART OF THE LITTLE BEAVER SQUADRON 23. THE BATTLES HE WAS IN WERE GUAM, PELELIU, LEYTE, LEYTE GULF AND OKINAWA. HE RECEIVED 4 BRONZE STARS FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC AREA CAMPAIGN RIBBON AND 2 BRONZE STARS FOR THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON. HE WAS DISCHARGED OCTOBER 21, 1945 WITH THE RANK OF BOATSWAIN'S MATE 1ST CLASS.