World War II Honoree

France Wanberg

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Galva, Iowa

Honored By

Galva American Legion & Auxiliary

INDUCTED DECEMBER 31, 1941. LEFT MARCH 1943 TO PACIFIC THEATER. HIS SHIP WAS TORPEDOED BY A JAPANESE SUBMARINE WITH 1429 SERVICEMEN ABOARD ON NOVEMBER 11, 1943. HE CLUNG TO LIFE FOR 30 HOURS ON A RAFT IN SHARK INFESTED, OIL COVERED, PACIFIC WATERS. THE MEN TOOK TURNS HANGING ONTO THE LIFE RAFT ROPES. THEY FLOATED ONE MILE AN HOUR. THE SHIP USS CAPE SAN JUAN HAD NO ESCORT OR RADAR. HE RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART AS A RESULT OF THE SHIP BEING TORPEDOED. HE WAS BLINDED BY OIL AND SALT WATER. PICKED UP BY AMERICAN DESTROYER AND TAKEN TO FIJI ISLANDS ABOUT 400 MILES FROM THE TORPEDOED VESSEL TO NEW CALEDONIA TO RECOVER AND WAIT FOR NEW GEAR AND EQUIPMENT. THEY THEN MOVED TO NEW GUINEA AND PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION AND LIBERATION OF HOLLANDIA WAKDE, LEYTE AND MINDORO. DECORATIONS: PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON, AMERICAN DEFENSE RIBBON AND WWII VICTORY RIBBON. DISCHARGED NOVEMBER 13, 1945.