World War II Honoree

John Daniel Monson, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Salt Lake City, Utah

Honored By

Marilyn M. Boekweg & John D. Monson, Jr.

ENLISTED JULY 3, 1942. BOOT CAMP AT ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA. LOADED ON TROOP SHIP USS MOUNT VERNON ALONG WITH OTHER COAST GUARD, NAVY, ARMY AND MARINE CORPS AND ARRIVED AT PEARL HARBOR SEPTEMBER 1942. ASSIGNED TO U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER KUKUI. ATTENDED SIGNAL SCHOOL AT WAILUPE AND ASSIGNED TO USS CUTTER ROGER B. TANEY AS A SIGNAL STRIKER. THIS SHIP PATROLLED OFF OAHU AND ESCORTED NAVY BABY FLAT TOPS, SUBMARINE TENDERS, OILERS AND OTHER TYPES OF SHIPS AROUND BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH PACIFIC OCEANS. IN ADDITION TO THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, TRAVELLED TO MIDWAY, JOHNSTON, CANTON, PALMYRA AND BAKER ISLANDS. MADE THREE TRIPS FROM THE U.S. TO TUNISIA IN NORTH AFRICA. WAS AMONG THE CONVOY WHERE THE SS PAUL HAMILTON AND SS LANSDALE WERE ATTACKED AND SUNK. ON JANUARY 30, 1945 WAS TRANSFERRED TO U.S. COAST GUARD OPERATING BASE, ROCKLAND, MAINE. TRANSFERRED TO RECEIVING SHIP SEATTLE, WASHINGTON AND SENT TO CAPTAIN OF THE PORT DETAIL IN PORTLAND, OREGON. APRIL 1945 TRANSFERRED TO CAPE AARGO LIGHT STATION NEAR COOS BAY, OREGON. HONORABLY DISCHARGED, OCTOBER 25, 1945. RECEIVED ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.