World War II Honoree

Harry G. Daves, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Baytown, Texas

Honored By

John C. Burkhardt, AAG MOPH, Chapter 1919, Austin, Texas

THE DAY WWII BROKE OUT, HE TRIED TO GET HIS FATHER TO SIGN FOR HIM TO JOIN THE NAVY. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE CRUISER USS HOUSTON WAS SUNK. THAT DAY HIS FATHER SIGNED FOR HIM TO JOIN. HE WENT TO BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA; HEMPHILL DIESEL SCHOOL IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; 20MM GUNNER SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA AND TRAINED IN AMPHIBIOUS LANDINGS IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. HE WAS AWARDED A PURPLE HEART FOR INJURIES RECEIVED IN COMBAT DURING THE BATTLE FOR GELA, SICILY OPERATION ON JULY 16, 1942. HE CONTINUED TO SERVE IN COMBAT UNTIL HE RETURNED TO THE U.S. IN OCTOBER 1944.