World War II Honoree

Ernest Cauthen

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Lancaster, South Carolina

Honored By

Julia M. Buckmaster

Relationship

Friend

BASIC TRAINING IN BAINBRIDGE, MARYLAND; BASIC ENGINEER TRAINING ON THE GREAT LAKES; ENGINEER, DIESEL TRAINING IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA; LANDING CRAFT SCHOOL OF THE PACIFIC IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. HE WAS A FIREMAN 1ST CLASS AND A MOTOR MACHINIST'S MATE. IN 1943 WAS ASSIGNED TO BOTH THE NAVY AND THE MARINE CORPS, AS WHAT IS NOW CALLED A SEAL. SERVED ON THE USS WARRICK AKA-89 ATTACK CARGO SHIP; WAS ON BOARD WHEN IT WAS IN DRY DOCK AND ON THE SHAKE DOWN CRUISE. SERVED WITH A CREW OF 4 ON LCVP 14. THERE WERE 24 LANDING CRAFT ON BOARD THE USS WARRICK. HE LOST LCVP 14 LANDING AT THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND HAD ANOTHER BOAT WITHIN A WEEK. HE WAS NOT WOUNDED IN THE INCIDENT. PARTICIPATED IN INVASIONS OF LUZON, LEYTE ISLAND, IWO JIMA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, GUAM, NEW GUINEA AND MOST OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS IN AN AMPHIBIOUS CAPACITY. PUT WHATEVER WAS NEEDED ON THE BEACHES; MEN, JEEPS, GUNS. EARNED 2 BATTLE STARS AND 2 BRONZE STARS. LEFT THE SERVICE IN 1946.