World War II Honoree

Bernard A. Hast

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Brighton, Colorado

Honored By

Jean, Joan, Jane, Sherill & Glen

Relationship

Daughters & Son

SERVED ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP USS MARYLAND BB-46 AS A DIESEL MOTOR MACHINIST. HE SURVIVED THE BOMBING AND STRAFING ON HIS SHIP THAT WAS ANCHORED ON BATTLESHIP ROW ALONG FORD ISLAND WHEN THE JAPANESE NAVAL ARMED FORCES ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 7, 1941. ON FEBRUARY 26, 1942 HIS SHIP LEFT PUGET SOUND NAVY YARD AFTER EXTENSIVE REPAIRS, RETURNING TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC WHERE HIS SHIP AND CREW OPERATED AS A BACK UP FORCE DURING THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY. LATER HIS SHIP AND CREW WERE ASSIGNED SENTINEL DUTY ALONG THE SOUTHERN SUPPLY ROUTES OPERATING OUT OF THE FIJI ISLANDS. DURING THE FIJI CAMPAIGN HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO A DIESEL ENGINE MECHANIC SCHOOL AND LATER ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. NAVAL FERRY CREW HEADQUARTERS, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS WHERE HE ASSISTED IN MOVING VARIOUS NAVAL VESSELS DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. AWARDED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PEARL HARBOR COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL. ENTERED THE SERVICE FEBRUARY 12, 1938 AND HONORABLY DISCHARGED DECEMBER 12, 1947.