World War II Honoree

John J. Chambless

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Alapaha, Georgia

Honored By

CMSgt Fred White, USAF (Ret)

Relationship

Friend

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER. ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN 1940 AND SERVED BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER WWII, RETIRING IN 1960. ADVANCED TO THE RANK OF CHIEF PETTY OFFICER IN A LITTLE OVER FOUR YEARS. SAILED ON THE USS MISSISSIPPI JUST DAYS BEFORE THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE FORCES ATTACKED UNITED STATES FORCES AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII. THE MISSISSIPPI WAS ORDERED TO NORFOLK NAVAL BASE IN VIRGINIA FOR CONVOY DUTY IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC. HE WAS ASSIGNED DUTY ON SUBMARINE HUNTER AIRCRAFT AS GUNNER, BOMBARDIER, RADIO OPERATOR AND PLANE CAPTAIN, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. FROM THE NORTH ATLANTIC, HE WAS ASSIGNED DUTY IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC, WHERE HE PARTICIPATED IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE FORCES ON ALMOST EVERY ISLAND. AT ONE POINT, HE WAS ABOARD A BARGE WHICH THE JAPANESE PROMPTLY SUNK AND HE LOST ALL HIS PERSONAL GEAR. EARNED MANY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS WHILE BEING IN THE MOST INTENSE WARFARE. HE WAS A LEADER, RESPECTED BY HIS MEN AND OFFICERS ALIKE. HE IS A TRUE AMERICAN HERO AS HE GAVE UNSELFISHLY AND WITH GREAT DEVOTION TO THE DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.