World War II Honoree

Jefferson Gideon Greer

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Parsons, Kansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

JOINED THE NAVY AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS A RADIOMAN ABOARD THE LIGHT CRUISER USS HELENA (CL-50). ASSIGNED TO THE PACIFIC FLEET, HIS SHIP WAS ANCHORED AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII AT THE TIME OF THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. HE HAD JUST LEFT HIS BUNK AND WAS ENROUTE TO THE MESS HALL WHEN THE ATTACK BEGAN. WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF THE FIRST BOMBS HITTING FORD ISLAND, A LONE TORPEDO PLANE LAUNCHED A TORPEDO THAT STRUCK HIS SHIP. IT WAS LIKE A FIRECRACKER IN A TIN CAN. ONLY OUTSTANDING DAMAGE CONTROL EFFORTS KEPT THE VESSEL AFLOAT. HE SUFFERED THIRD-DEGREE BURNS OVER 85 PERCENT OF HIS BODY DURING THE ATTACK. HE SPENT 16 MONTHS IN HOSPITALS UNDERGOING TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. A PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR, HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.