World War II Honoree

Walter Leo Furst

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hiawatha

Honored By

John Robert Melser

Relationship

Son

PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR. SERVED ALL THROUGH THE PACIFIC DURING WWII. COMMISSIONED MARCH 1941 AND SERVED UNTIL DECEMBER 1945. PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE; JUNE 3,1943 AND TO FULL LIEUTENANT; SEPTEMBER 9,1944. AS THE JAPANESE MADE THEIR SURPRISE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, DECEMBER 7, 1941, HE WAS ABOUT ONE MILE UP THE COAST AT AN AUTOMATIC WEAPONS SCHOOL FOR NEW WEAPONS TO BE INSTALLED ON THE BATTLESHIP USS IDAHO. ASSIGNED TO USS IDAHO WITH ALL IT'S UPGRADES OF WEAPONS AS A DECK GUNNERY OFFICER. SAW ACTION AT EVERY BATTLE EXCEPT TWO IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. SHIP WAS ATTACKED BY SIX KAMIKAZE. FIVE WERE SHOT DOWN BUT THE SIXTH HIT, RESULTING IN CASUALTY AND INJURY. SHIP WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO BATTLE UNTIL THE JAPANESE SURRENDER. RECEIVED AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH 'A' DEVICE, AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL WITH NINE BATTLE STARS. ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF NAVY FOR HIS BRAVERY UNDER BATTLE AND HONORABLE SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.