World War II Honoree

Harry L. Whipple, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

El Paso, Texas

Honored By

Leona A., Harry L. III, James L., Mary Ann & Bryan, Jake

Relationship

Wife, Sons, Daughter & Grandsons

JOINED U.S. NAVY AND SENT TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA MAY 18, 1942, ASSIGNED TO COMPANY 263. COMPLETED HIS 6 WEEKS OF NAVY BASIC AND ENTERED NAVY AS AN ELECTRICIAN THROUGH COURSE WORK AT CHAPMAN COLLEGE IN LOS ANGELES. SENT TO MIAMI, FLORIDA AND ASSIGNED TO PIER 2 FOR ADVANCED SHIP DUTIES ABOARD SUBMARINE CHASERS OCTOBER 28, 1942. TRANSFERRED TO SAN FRANCISCO JANUARY 1943. BOARDED THE SUBMARINE CHASER SC-990 MANNED BY 21 MEN AND 3 OFFICERS MARCH 10, 1943. LEFT SAN FRANCISCO FOR HAWAII JULY 1, 1943 AND ORDERED FROM HAWAII TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. CROSSED THE EQUATOR NEAR CHRISTMAS ISLAND NOVEMBER 14, 1943. HIS SUB CHASER PRACTICED PATROLLING FOR ENEMY SUBMARINES NEAR FUNAFUTI ATOLL AND PROVIDED ESCORT PATROLLING FOR TRANSPORT SHIPS ARRIVING AFTER THE BATTLE OF THE GILBERT ISLANDS. DURING 1944, PROVIDED PROTECTION FOR TROOP AND SUPPLY SHIPPING LANES FOR THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, THE MARIANA ISLANDS AND THE WESTERN CAROLINE ISLANDS GROUP NEAR TRUK. RETURNED TO SAN FRANCISCO FEBRUARY 20, 1945 AND SENT TO SAN DIEGO’S CAMP ELLIOTT MARCH 9. AFTER JAPAN'S SURRENDER SEPTEMBER 2, 1945 WENT TO NORFOLK NAVAL BASE FOR TRAINING ABOARD NEW DESTROYER CONSTRUCTION. TROOP TRAINED TO SEATTLE AND ASSIGNED TO THE DESTROYER USS JAMES E. KEYES DD-787 AND SAILED FROM BREMERTON NAVAL BASE TO THE ALEUTIANS ISLANDS ALASKA. SENT TO SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 10 FOR PROCESSING AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED RETURNING HOME CHRISTMAS EVE 1945. AWARDED NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH THREE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND HONORABLE LAPEL SERVICE BUTTON. NAVAL RESERVE SERIAL NUMBER: 555 55 54.