World War II Honoree

Harold A. Drake

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Boston, New York

Honored By

Timothy H. Drake

Relationship

2nd Cousin

JOINED THE NAVY ON FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1944. HE LATER WAS ASSIGNED TO AND BOARDED THE USS MT. HOOD (AE-11) SOMETIME DURING JUNE 1944. AFTER A TRIP THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL, THE USS MT. HOOD STEAMED FOR NEW GUINEA. ON THE MORNING OF TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1944, THE SHIP EXPLODED AS IT WAS DOCKED IN SEEADLER HARBOR, MANUS ISLAND, AN ISLAND LOCATED ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF NEW GUINEA. THE EXPLOSION VAPORIZED THE SHIP. IT WAS CARRYING AMMUNITION FOR THE PACIFIC CAMPAIGN. HE IS MEMORIALIZED ON ONE OF TWO LARGE HEMICYCLES THAT ARE LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.