World War II Honoree

Junior Edward Duke

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Uniontown, Ohio

Honored By

Todd Sheets

Relationship

Son-in-law

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY AND SERVED AS A GUNNER FROM 1944 TO 1945 ON LSM 277 WHICH TRANSPORTED MARINES AND THEIR EQUIPMENT FROM GUADALCANAL TO LEYTE GULF AND THE ISLANDS OF SAMAR AND ENIWETOK, TO FORM THE CONVOY FOR THE INVASION OF OKINAWA. HE WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH DEFENDING HIS SHIP FROM KAMIKAZES AND SUICIDE BOATS AND SWIMMERS DURING THE BATTLE FOR OKINAWA. AFTER THE JAPANESE SURRENDERED, LSM 277 STRUCK A MINE JUST EAST OF ENIWETOK BUT COMPLETED A SLOW (4-5 KNOTS) TRIP HOME TO LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA. THE SHIP AND ITS CREW EARNED 6 BATTLE STARS, 1 ARROWHEAD AND A NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION MEDAL FOR ITS WORK IN THE CAMPAIGN. HE REMAINED ACTIVE IN THE NAVY UNTIL 1953, THEN JOINED THE ARMY AND RETIRED IN 1986 WITH A COMBINED 42 YEARS OF SERVICE.