World War II Honoree

Elmer Pietens

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hancock, Minnesota

Honored By

Dolores McMillen

Relationship

Daughter

JOINED THE NAVY IN AUGUST 1931 AND WAS STATIONED AT NAVAL TORPEDO STATION, NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND FROM JUNE 1941 TO JUNE 1943. SENT TO SAN FRANCISCO ON A RECEIVING SHIP ON JUNE 1943. SERVED ABOARD THE USS HEERMANN FROM JULY 1943 UNTIL JUNE 1945. HE SERVED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AND WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST POWERFUL UNITS OF THE JAPANESE FLEET DURING THE BATTLE OFF SAMAR, PHILIPPINES, OCTOBER 25,1944. WAS ABOARD THE HOSPITAL SHIP USS REFUGE TO RETURN TO US NAVAL HOSPITAL UNTIL DISCHARGED IN NOVEMBER 1945.