World War II Honoree

Harmon E. Norris

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Fitzgerald, Georgia

Honored By

Martha Norris and Donald Norris

Relationship

Wife and Son

SERVED ON THE USS GAINARD (DD-706) IN APRIL 1945. EARNED A BATTLE STAR FOR PARTICIPATION IN COMBAT ACTION DURING THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA. IT WAS DURING THIS CAMPAIGN, THE USS GAINARD WAS NARROWLY MISSED SEVERAL TIMES BY DETERMINED RUNS OF SUICIDE PLANES. THE SKILLFUL GUNNERS AND EFFECTIVE MANEUVERING PREVENTED SERIOUS DAMAGE. REMAINED ON STATION UNTIL JULY 1945 WHEN OKINAWA WAS OFFICIALLY DECLARED SECURED. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1946 AND WAS AWARDED THE NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION RIBBON FOR COMBAT SERVICE DURING THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA.