World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Earl Edward Gourley
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Rockford, Illinois
Honored By
Kevin J. McCarthy
SERVED ON THE HEAVY CRUISER USS WICHITA, WHICH PROTECTED ALLIED CONVOYS IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER AND TOOK PART IN THE INVASION OF NORTH AFRICA. FROM 1943 ON, THE WICHITA PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA AND INVASIONS INCLUDING THE MARSHALL ISLANDS AND OKINAWA. HE ALSO SERVED ON THE LIGHTER, FASTER CRAFT DESIGNED TO SINK GERMAN U-BOATS. EARNED NUMEROUS BATTLE STARS.