World War II Honoree

Edwin Henry Randall

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Edgewood, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1939 AT THE NAVAL RECRUITING STATION, SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. VOLUNTEERED FOR AND ATTENDED THE NAVY PRE-FLIGHT SCHOOLS AT ATHENS, GEORGIA AND IOWA CITY, IOWA. ATTENDED METALWORKERS SCHOOL AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. LATER ASSIGNED TO NAVAL AIR STATION, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE; NAVAL AIR STATION, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA; AND NAVAL ACADEMIC REFRESHER UNIT (V-5) AT LOUISIANA STATE NORMAL COLLEGE, NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA. ALSO, SERVED ABOARD THE DIXIE CLASS DESTROYER TENDER USS PRAIRIE AD-13, WICKES CLASS DESTROYER USS GREER DD-145, MELVILLE CLASS DESTROYER TENDER USS MELVILLE AD-2, ESSEX CLASS FLEET CARRIER USS BUNKER HILL CV-17 AND THE ESSEX CLASS FLEET CARRIER USS KEARSARGE CV-33. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (RETROACTIVELY ELIGIBLE BY 1999 CONGRESSIONAL BILL), NAVY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH SILVER AND 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A CHIEF SHIPFITTER ON OCTOBER 14, 1947 AT THE DEMOBILIZATION SEPARATION ACTIVITY, NAVAL AIR STATION, QUONSET POINT, RHODE ISLAND.