World War II Honoree

Arthur Vernon Helms

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Crocker, Missouri

Honored By

Larry Helms

Relationship

Son

SERVED IN THE U.S. NAVY 58TH NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION (SEABEES): THAT PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE LAST BIG OPERATION OF THE ISLAND WAR, THE SEIZURE OF OKINAWA. THE MAIN INVASION FORCES LANDED ON OKINAWA'S WEST COAST HAGUSHI BEACHES ON EASTER SUNDAY, 1 APRIL 1945. THE FIGHTING WAS HEAVY AND PROLONGED, AND ORGANIZED RESISTANCE DID NOT CEASE UNTIL 21 JUNE 1945. THE SEABEES TASK ON OKINAWA WAS TRULY IMMENSE. ON THIS AGRARIAN ISLAND, WHOSE PHYSICAL FACILITIES A FIERCE BOMBARDMENT HAD ALL BUT DESTROYED, THEY BUILT OCEAN PORTS, A GRID OF ROADS, BOMBER AND FIGHTER FIELDS, A SEAPLANE BASE, QUONSET VILLAGES, TANK FARMS, STORAGE DUMPS, HOSPITALS, AND SHIP REPAIR FACILITIES.