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World War II Honoree

World War II Veteran

Harry J. Gaitley

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

AT 17, HE DROPPED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL TO JOIN THE NAVY DURING WWII. HE SERVED ABOARD THE DESTROYER USS MONSSEN IN THE PACIFIC. IN OCTOBER 1944, THE SHIP PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEFEAT OF THE JAPANESE FLEET. HE SUFFERED PERMANENT HEARING LOSS DURING THE BATTLE.