World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
George W. Cyphers
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Oklahoma
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
SERVED AS A CHIEF GUNNER'S MATE IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE HEAVY CRUISER USS PENSACOLA CA-24. PARTICIPATED IN THE IWO JIMA OPERATION CAMPAIGN. HIS SHIP PROVIDED PRE-INVASION NAVAL GUNFIRE SUPPORT ON FEBRUARY 16, 1945. ON FEBRUARY 17, 1945, TOOK 6 HITS FROM JAPANESE SHORE BATTERIES AS SHE WAS COVERING MINESWEEPING OPERATIONS CLOSE TO SHORE. HE AND 16 SHIPMATES WERE KILLED IN ACTION AND ANOTHER 119 WOUNDED. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.