World War II Honoree

Ernest 'Chief' Foxworth

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Mullins, South Carolina

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE ATTACK TRANSPORT SHIP USS JOHN Q. ROBERTS APD-94. FOLLOWING SHAKEDOWN TRAINING IN THE CARIBBEAN, UNDERWENT AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING IN HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA IN APRIL 1945. SAILED FROM NORFOLK, VIRGINIA ON MAY 7, 1945 TO JOIN THE PACIFIC FLEET. ARRIVED AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON MAY 31, 1945 AND TRAINED WITH UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAMS UNTIL PROCEEDING TO LEYTE GULF IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON JUNE 13, 1945. HIS SHIP ESCORTED CONVOYS AND TOOK PART IN FLEET MANEUVERS IN THE PHILIPPINES IN PREPARATION FOR THE ANTICIPATED INVASION OF JAPAN. THE WAR ENDED AND HIS SHIP DEPARTED LEYTE ON AUGUST 20, 1945 TO ESCORT A CONVOY TO OKINAWA. HIS SHIP WAS THEN ENGAGED IN ESCORT DUTIES BETWEEN OKINAWA AND JAPAN. HE WAS AT YOKOSUKA, JAPAN DURING THE FORMAL SURRENDER ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945. HIS SHIP REMAINED IN JAPAN TRANSPORTING OCCUPATION TROOPS AND PERSONNEL UNTIL DEPARTING NAGOYA ON DECEMBER 17, 1945 WITH RETURNING SERVICE PERSONNEL AS PART OF OPERATION 'MAGIC CARPET.' ARRIVED AT SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA ON JANUARY 6, 1946. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.