World War II Honoree

John Wainwright 'Jack' Hirst

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Syracuse, New York

Honored By

Bunny Hirst & Sandra, Cindy, Kathleen, Sally & Sherri

Relationship

Wife & Daughters

GRADUATED FROM THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY FEBRUARY 1941. PARTICIPATED IN THE U.S. NAVY NEUTRALITY PATROLS AND ESCORT DUTY IN THE NORTHERN ATLANTIC OCEAN. SERVED ABOARD THE SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS BATTLESHIP, USS MASSACHUSETTS BB-59 'BIG MAMIE' IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS DURING WWII. PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASIONS OF THE GILBERT ISLANDS, THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, THE CAROLINE ISLANDS, PONAPE ISLAND, BATTLE FOR LEYTE GULF, IWO JIMA, OKINAWA AND NAVAL GUN FIRE ATTACKS ON TARGETS ON HONSHU ISLAND. RETIRED AFTER 26 YEARS OF HONORABLE MILITARY SERVICE AS A CAPTAIN, U.S. NAVY.