World War II Honoree

Gordon Hewitt

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Petoskey, Michigan

Honored By

Mrs. Gordon 'Doris' Hewitt

Relationship

Wife

SERVED FROM 1942 TO 1944 WITH THE 5TH FLEET MOBILE HOSPITAL UNIT, PT BOAT SQUADRON 12 (JOHN F. KENNEDY'S SQUADRON) AS CHIEF PHARMACIST’S MATE. STATIONED AT PEARL HARBOR, TARAWA, GUADALCANAL, NEW CALEDONIA, AND LEYTE GULF WHERE HE WAS HEAD OF THE MEDICAL DETACHMENT IN SQUADRON 12 AT GUIANA AND SAMAR. ONE OF THE PRIMARY DUTIES OF HIS UNIT WAS TO EVACUATE THE WOUNDED TO HOSPITAL SHIPS USS TRYON, USS RIXEY, USS RELIEF AND USS SOLACE DURING SEVERAL PACIFIC ISLAND INVASIONS. WHEN NOT ON DUTY, HE PROVIDED FISH FOR 50 SAILORS AT NEW CALEDONIA (THEIR ONLY FRESH MEAT FOR MONTHS) BY TROLLING FROM A LCVP (HIGGINS BOAT). TOOK CARE OF FLEET ADMIRAL WILLIAM 'BULL' HALSEY DURING A 3-DAY HOSPITAL STAY.