World War II Honoree

Edward Leroy Neff

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Canfield, Ohio

Honored By

Robert H. Neff

Relationship

Brother

LIEUTENANT, JUNIOR GRADE, HE ENLISTED IN THE SEABEES IN 1942. WHEN HE DECIDED TO PURSUE AN OFFICER’S COMMISSION, HE ALSO ASKED TO TRANSFER TO THE NAVY. HE WAS SENT TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY FOR OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL THROUGH SAN FRANCISCO. UPON COMPLETION IN 1943, HE WAS ASSIGNED AN LST. IT WAS ARMED WITH TOW 40 MM GUNS FORE AND AFT. THE SHIP HAD A CREW OF 110 MEN AND 9 OFFICERS. HE WAS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SECOND IN COMMAND TO THE SKIPPER. THEY SAILED DOWN THE OHIO RIVER TO NEW ORLEANS AND COMPLETED A SHAKEDOWN CRUISE TO PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA. FROM THERE, THEY SAILED ACROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO, THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL AND UP TO SAN DIEGO, THEN ACROSS THE PACIFIC TO HAWAII AND ON TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE SAW AND EXPERIENCED MUCH IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE WAS IN SAMBO ANGO WHEN NEWS OF THE ARMISTICE AND THE END OF THE WAR CAME. WITHIN DAYS HE AND HIS CREW WERE EN ROUTE TO JAPAN AND WERE IN TOKYO WITHIN THE WEEK. WHEN THE SHIP RETURNED TO THE U.S. HE WAS THE FIRST TO BE DISCHARGED BECAUSE HIS SEABEE’S EXPERIENCE GAVE HIM THE MOST SENIORITY IN THE NAVY OF ALL THE OFFICERS ON THE SHIP.