World War II Honoree

Howard Fraser

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

PROUDLY SERVED HIS COUNTRY AFTER ENLISTING IN A 16-WEEK MIDSHIPMAN'S SCHOOL AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND LATER UNDERWENT TRAINING AT THE U.S. NAVAL AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING BASE IN SOLOMONS, MARYLAND. ONE OF HIS FIRST TASKS WAS TO SKIPPER LANDING SHIP TANK 247 DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ON A SHAKEDOWN CRUISE. DURING THE D-DAY INVASION ON JUNE 6, 1944, HE WAS A DECK OFFICER ABOARD ANOTHER AMPHIBIOUS ATTACK BOAT, LST 515, THAT UNLOADED TROOPS ON THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY. TOWARD THE END OF THE SERVICE, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE DESTROYER USS DONNELL. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RATE OF LIEUTENANT.