World War II Honoree

James R. Garten

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Odon, Indiana

Relationship

Self

LIEUTENANT SENIOR GRADE, ASSISTANT ENGINEERING OFFICER. SERVED ABOARD THE DESTROYER USS O'BANNON DD-450, ASSIGNED TO TASK FORCE 67-4 THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC DURING THE SOLOMON ISLANDS AND GUADALCANAL CAMPAIGNS. THE O'BANNON SAW ACTION IN THE BATTLE OF KULA GULF, THE BATTLE OF KOLOMBAGARA AND VELLA LAVELLA WHERE SEVERE DAMAGE REQUIRED HER RETURN TO MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA, FOR REPAIRS. HE WAS REASSIGNED TO THE CARRIER USS OMMANEY BAY CVE-79, ACTION WAS PROVIDING AIR COVER FOR THE LANDINGS AT PALAU AND MINDORO. DAMAGE FROM JAPANESE 'KAMIKAZE' ATTACKS REQUIRED ITS SINKING AFTER SURVIVORS WERE RESCUED. HAVING BEEN PICKED UP BY A DESTROYER HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE CARRIER USS SAVO ISLAND CVE-78 AND WAS RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES VIA TROOP SHIP USS HALF MOON AWP-26. FINALLY ASSIGNED TO THE ESCORT CARRIER USS SITKOH BAY CVE-86 UNTIL WAR'S END. IT CRUISED OFF THE SOUTHWESTERN COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN AND MADE VOYAGES BETWEEN GUAM, SAMAR ISLAND IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND OKINAWA BEFORE RETURNING TO SAN DIEGO.