World War II Honoree

James T. Aitchison

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Newton, Massachusetts

Honored By

Gert Larosee

Relationship

Cousin

SERVED IN THE NEWLY COMMISSIONED LIGHT CRUISER USS JUNEAU CL-52. SHIP INITIALLY CRUISED AS AN ESCORT IN CONVOY IN THE AMERICAN THEATER IN BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH ATLANTIC AND CARIBBEAN AREAS OF OPERATION. SUBSEQUENTLY PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS SORTIES AS ESCORT AND SCREEN FOR THE FAST CARRIER FORCES WITHIN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. KILLED IN ACTION ON NOVEMBER 13, 1943 WHEN THE BATTLE-DAMAGED USS JUNEAU WAS STRUCK BY ENEMY TORPEDOES, BLEW UP AND SANK DURING THE NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL. POSTHUMOUS RECIPIENT OF THE PURPLE HEART, THE NAVY GOOD CONDUCT, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN AND WWII VICTORY MEDALS.