World War II Honoree

Claude B. Hankins, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Detroit, Michigan

Honored By

LaDonna Hankins

Relationship

Wife

ENLISTED IN THE U.S. COAST GUARD IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN ON AUGUST 22, 1942. AFTER TRAINING IN MICHIGAN, NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA, HE SHIPPED TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC, WHERE HE SERVED THROUGHOUT THE WAR. MOST NOTABLY, HE FOUGHT IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO, NEW GUINEA AND WAS A PARTICIPANT IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF. REMAINED ENLISTED IN THE U.S. COAST GUARD UNTIL APRIL 12, 1946. SERVED FOR 3 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AND 22 DAYS. EARNED 5 BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY RIBBON.