World War II Honoree

Floyd Ward Coonce

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Saint Louis, Missouri

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON DECEMBER 8, 1941 AT THE LOCAL NAVY RECRUITING STATION. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, AND ATTENDED 20 MILLIMETER GUN SCHOOL AT PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON. THEREAFTER SERVED IN TURN ABOARD THE CARGO SHIP USS SPICA AK-16; THE CLEVELAND CLASS LIGHT CRUISER USS SPRINGFIELD CL-66; THE BATTLESHIP USS SOUTH DAKOTA BB-57; AND THE BALTIMORE CLASS HEAVY CRUISER USS OREGON CITY CA-122. EARNED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESSIONAL ACTION IN 1999), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A BOATSWAIN’S MATE SECOND CLASS ON DECEMBER 16, 1946 AT NAVAL RECEIVING STATION, NAVY YARD, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.