World War II Honoree

Stephen C. Hart

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Wethersfield, Connecticut

Honored By

William Lynch

Relationship

Friend

SERVED FROM 1943 TO 1945. HE SAW SERVICE ON THE USS FRANKLIN WHEN IT WAS STRUCK TWICE BY SUICIDE BOMBERS AND HIT DIRECTLY BY 500 LB BOMBS OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN, RESULTING IN GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. DISREGARDING HIS OWN LIFE, HE CLIMBED THE BURNING TOWER OF THE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND SIGNALED BY SEMAPHORE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER SHIPS OPERATING IN THE VICINITY, RESULTING IN THE RESCUE OF MANY OF HIS FELLOW CREW MATES. FOR THIS ACT OF BRAVERY HE WAS AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR WITH COMBAT V, THE NAVAL COMMENDATION RIBBON AND 5 BATTLE STARS. FOUGHT IN THE FIRST AND SECOND BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA AND IN INVASIONS OF SAIPAN, GUAM, PELELIU, LEYTE GULF AND OKINAWA.