World War II Honoree

Raymond A. Coulombre

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Honored By

Joe Sturniolo

Relationship

Son-in-law

PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS. MOTOR MACHINIST'S MATE. ENLISTED ON DECEMBER 14, 1942. PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS NAVAL COMBAT OPERATIONS IN THE ESCORT DESTROYER USS ATHERTON (DE-169). DURING ONE OF THE LAST NAVAL ACTIONS AGAINST GERMANY, ATTACKED AND SANK U-BOAT U-853 OFF LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK ON MAY 6, 1945. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE BATTLE STAR, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL, NAVY OCCUPATION MEDAL (ASIA) AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ADDITIONALLY, AWARDED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON RETROACTIVELY.