World War II Honoree

Joe Dare Erwin

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Visalia, California

Honored By

Bobbi Shatto & Kelly Erwin

Relationship

Daughters

SERVED 6 YEARS. STARTED OUT AS A MACHINIST AND WORKED HIS WAY UP THROUGH CHIEF PETTY OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE ENGINE ROOM AND THE DESALINATION PLANT. HE WAS INVOLVED IN MANY KEY CONFLICTS DURING THE WAR. THESE CONFLICTS INCLUDED LANDING AT SAFI, FRENCH MOROCCO IN AFRICA, ATTU AND KISKA IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLAND CHAIN; TARAWA, THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS; OKINAWA, MARIANNA ISLANDS: SAIPAN, GUAM, TINIAN AND LEYTE GULF. HE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE OCCUPATION AT YOKOHAMA AND HOKKAIDO, JAPAN. HE SERVED 4 1/2 YEARS ON THE USS HARRIS UNTIL THE WAR ENDED AND IT WAS DECOMMISSIONED. HE THEN SERVED 18 MONTHS ON THE TRUK ISLANDS WHERE HE WORKED WITH JAPANESE PRISONERS BUILDING AIRSTRIPS AND ROADS.