World War II Honoree

Michael J. Cleary

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Bronx, New York

Honored By

Michael J. Cleary, Jr.

Relationship

Son

ENLISTED IN U.S. NAVY, APRIL 1944. ACHIEVED THE RANK OF ELECTRICIAN'S MATE 3RD CLASS. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATRE ABOARD THE DESTROYER USS DEWEY (DD-349). SAW ACTION SCREENING REFUELING OPERATIONS FOR THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. PARTICIPATED IN THE SHORE BOMBARDMENT OF IWO JIMA AS WELL AS THE SCREENING OF CARRIERS FOR STRIKES AGAINST OKINAWA AND TOKYO. SURVIVED TYPHOON COBRA. THE SHIP SUFFERED CONSIDERABLE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, FLOODING AND A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING ROLLS OF MORE THAN 75-80 DEGREES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN DECEMBER 1945. DECORATED WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMENDATIONS: GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL.