World War II Honoree

Harold Eugene 'Gene' Cloninger

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Atkins, Arkansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ATTENDED COLLEGE FOR 2 YEARS AND ENTERED ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE. APPLIED AND WAS SELECTED FOR NAVAL OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER DURING THE WAR PERIOD. HIS SHIP SURVIVED TWO TYPHOONS WHICH ALMOST SANK THE VESSEL. HE DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE MOST COVETED LUXURIES ABOARD SHIP WAS ICE CREAM, AND HIS SHIP WOULD ROUTINELY ENGAGE IN SHIP-TO-SHIP BARTERING TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THE CREW. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER 4 YEARS AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.