World War II Honoree

Mathias Francis Gutman

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Arlene Gutman

Relationship

Wife

CREW MEMBER ABOARD LST 553 IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. THE SHIP WAS ENGAGED IN FIVE INVASIONS INCLUDING PELELIU; LEYTE, MINDORO LANDINGS, LINGAYEN GULF, LAPAS LUZON, AND SUBIC BAY, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND OKINAWA. DOWNED THREE JAPANESE PLANES. AWARDED NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL, COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, NAVY RESERVE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 1 BRONZE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL WITH ASIA CLASP, NAVAL RESERVE MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH 2 BRONZE STARS AND PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION.