World War II Honoree

Homer W. Grace

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pateros, Washington

Honored By

Ray, Dave & Mike Grace & LTC Charles T. Borg, USA-Ret.

BETWEEN 1942 AND 1944 WAS DEFERRED FROM MILITARY SERVICE BECAUSE OF CRITICAL SKILLS AS A PIPE FITTER, WELDER AND SHIP PARTS BUILDER. WAS NEEDED AT PUGET SOUND NAVY YARD AT BREMERTON, WASHINGTON. PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN BUILDING AND RE-BUILDING NAVY SHIPS, SOME OF WHICH HAD BEEN BADLY DAMAGED. ONE OF THOSE SHIPS WAS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LEXINGTON. IN MARCH 1945 WAS ENLISTED IN THE ARMY TO JOIN COMPANY A, 152ND ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BATTALION WHICH WAS SHIPPED TO THE PACIFIC FOR THE INVASION OF JAPAN. WHILE EN-ROUTE TO THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA, THE JAPANESE SURRENDERED. REROUTED TO KOREA, WHICH HAD BEEN LIBERATED FROM JAPANESE OCCUPATION. HELPED BUILD INSTALLATIONS FOR U.S. MILITARY FORCES. DISCHARGED; JANUARY 1946. EARNED GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND EXPERT RIFLEMAN BADGE (M-1 RIFLE).