World War II Honoree

Ermino Gonzales

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Winslow, Arizona

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.

Relationship

Shipmates

SHIPS COOK THIRD CLASS PETTY OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION WITH ALL HANDS ONBOARD USS GRAMPUS SS- 207. DECORATIONS: PURPLE HEART. USS GRAMPUS WAS MOST LIKELY SUNK IN ACTION ON 5 MARCH 1943 WHEN TWO JAPANESE DESTROYERS, THEMSELVES LOST 2 DAYS LATER, CONDUCTED AN ATTACK IN BLACKETT STRAIT, WHERE A HEAVY OIL SLICK WAS SIGHTED THE FOLLOWING DAY, INDICATING THAT GRAMPUS MAY HAVE BEEN LOST THERE IN A NIGHT ATTACK OR GUN BATTLE. GRAMPUS WENT DOWN WITH 71 OFFICERS AND MEN.