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World War II Honoree

Killed in World War II

William Finnic Cates

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Memphis, Tennessee

Honored By

John Peterson

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

WHILE SERVING AS SEAMAN SECOND CLASS IN USS SAN FRANCISCO CA-38, HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION 12 NOVEMBER 1942 WHEN A JAPANESE TORPEDO PLANE, WHICH HE KEPT UNDER FIRE WHILE REFUSING TO LEAVE HIS STATION, CRASHED ABOARD THE SHIP. FOR THIS HEROISM, HE RECEIVED THE NAVY CROSS POSTHUMOUSLY. USS CATES DE-763 WAS NAMED IN HIS HONOR.