World War II Honoree

Arthur Franklin Yeldig

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Indianapolis, Indiana

Honored By

William L. Yeldig

Relationship

Son

SERVED ABOARD USS YORKTOWN CV-10, DECEMBER 11, 1942 TO JANUARY 29, 1946. HE PUT THIS SHIP INTO COMMISSION APRIL 1943. ASSIGNED TO THE 5TH DIVISION, GUNNERY DEPARTMENT AND SHIP'S ARMORY. THE CREW LEFT FOR TRINIDAD FOR THEIR SHAKEDOWN CRUISE. THE FLIGHT DECK WAS FITTED WITH SQUADRONS OF F-6F, SB2-C, SBD AND TBM 'AVENGER' TORPEDO-BOMBER PLANES, TO PRACTICE CATAPULTING OFF AND LANDING ON THE CARRIER, HE WAS LEARNING GUNNERY PRACTICE AND GENERAL QUARTERS STATIONS. AFTER THE SHAKEDOWN, THE CARRIER WENT THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL TO PEARL HARBOR. HIS MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES WERE 'PASSION SUNDAY', MARCH 18TH, THE MARIANA TURKEY SHOOT, THE SHIP'S FIRST HIT, A 500-POUND BOMB, RIDING OUT THE OKINAWA TYPHOON AND WHEN THE JAPANESE SURRENDERED AUGUST 1945, THE YORKTOWN WAS IN TOKYO BAY. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO SHORE PATROL WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL TROOPS. AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC RIBBON WITH ELEVEN STARS, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH ONE STAR. DISCHARGED FROM THE NAVY JANUARY 29, 1946 AT SHOEMAKER, CALIFORNIA WITH THE RANK OF GUNNER'S MATE 3RD CLASS. HE WAS MARRIED TO NADINE ALWORTH YELDIG FOR 55 YEARS, HAD FOUR CHILDREN AND FOURTEEN GRANDCHILDREN AND MANY GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. THE COUPLE RESIDED IN BEAVERTON, OREGON UNTIL HIS DEATH MAY 10, 2001.