World War II Honoree

Vere Gardner

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

San Franscisco, California

Honored By

Sharon Miller

Relationship

Daughter

ENTERED NOVEMBER 14, 1940 AT GOAT ISLAND, LOCATED IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA HARBOR. WENT DIRECTLY TO ASSIGNED SHIP, USS SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25). DECEMBER 7, 1941 WHILE ON OFF-SHORE DUTY WITH THE BOAT CREW, EXPERIENCED THE JAPANESE ATTACK PEARL HARBOR AT FORD ISLAND. ALONG WITH A MARINE CORPORAL, SHOT DOWN AN ENEMY PLANE WITH RIFLES, HELPED LOAD SANDBAGS AT THE SUGAR PLANTATION, AND INSPECTED CARS LOOKING FOR THE ENEMY. IT WAS THREE DAYS BEFORE THE SHIP HAD COME BACK INTO THE HARBOR FOR AMMO AND he WAS ABLE TO RE-BOARD. SERVED IN 37 MAJOR ENGAGEMENTS IN THE PACIFIC INCLUDING WOJE, MARSHALL ISLANDS, WAKE ISLAND, KISKA, MARCUS, DOOLITTLE RAID, GUADALCANAL, BATTLE OF SARRO, MAJURO, SAIPAN, KOMANDORSKI ISLANDS, KWAJALEIN, IWO JIMA, OKINAWA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND CORAL SEA. PARTICIPATED IN THE LONGEST NAVAL BATTLE IN THE KOMANDORSKI ISLANDS IN THE PACIFIC CAMPAIGN; 3 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES. DUTIES INCLUDED SIGHT SETTER AND TALKER ON #2 ON STARBOARD SIDE OF THE SHIP, GUNNER, RADIO OPERATOR, SHIPS CLERK, AND PAYROLL.