World War II Honoree

Herman Cleaton

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Asher, Oklahoma

Honored By

William E. Shaklee

Relationship

Friend and Neighbor at Epworth Villa Retirement Facility

SWORN INTO THE U. S. NAVY ON JULY 2, 1942, HE LEFT THE SAME DAY FOR BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. ON AUGUST 28 HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS CASTOR AND SAILED FOR THE SOUTH PACIFIC. AFTER A SHORT STOP IN PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON CHRISTMAS DAY HE WAS JUST OFF OF CHRISTMAS ISLAND HEADING TO THE ISLAND OF NEW HEBRIDES. HIS SHIP’S MISSION WAS TO FURNISH SUPPLIES TO THE PACIFIC FLEET. HIS SHIP CARRIED A 5” GUN, TWO 3” GUNS AND MANY 20 MM ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS. HIS BATTLE STATION WAS ON THE STARBOARD. WATCH AS CAPTAIN OF THE 20 MM GUNS. IN NOVEMBER 1944, ISSUES WERE MADE TO THE LARGEST AND STRONGEST TASK FORCE EVER ASSEMBLED IN ONE HARBOR, PORT OR ANCHORAGE ON THE FACE OF THE GLOBE, THE PHILIPPINES ISLANDS OPERATION. HERMAN WAS IN CHARGE OF THE SUPPLY OFFICE AND HE HAD TO DETERMINE THE SUPPLIES NEEDED BY THE SOUTH PACIFIC FLEET. DURING HIS USS CASTOR DUTY HERMAN VISITED: PEARL HARBOR; HAWAII; GUAM; SOLOMON ISLANDS; JOHNSON ISLAND; AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND; TUTUILE; AMERICAN SAMOA; BORA BORA; TONGA ISLAND; ESPIRITY SANTO; NOUMEA; HAVANNAH HARBOR; ELLICE ISLANDS; MARSHALL ISLANDS; MAKIN ATOLL; SAIPAN; MANUS; NEW GUINEA; NEW HEBRIDES; ENIWETOK; KWAJALEIN; WAKE; MAJURO ATOLL; NEW CALEDONIA; NANDI BAY; VANUE LEVY; FUNAFUTI; GILBERT ISLANDS; TARAWA; AND OKINAWA. HIS LAST TRIP WAS TO OKINAWA DURING THE LAST DAYS OF WORLD WAR II, OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER 1945. HE WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE NAVY IN JANUARY 1946.