World War II Honoree

Glen Norman Danielson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Vermillion, South Dakota

Honored By

Kay Danielson Hall

Relationship

Daughter

Inducted into service on 11/17/42 and exited with a honorable discharge 2/1/46. He trained as an aviation radioman/radar (AN/APS-15) achieving the rank of ARM 2/C. While stateside he served in HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON FAW-14 and HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON FAW-4. In 1945, he was a crew member of VPB-26 FAW-1 (MARTIN BPM MARINER SEAPLANE) and was attached to the USS Norton Sound, Serviced by COMBAT AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT 43. He was stationed at U.S. NAVAL AIR BASE, Tanapag Harbor #3245 (Saipan, Mariana Islands) while it was an unsecured island (1945). During his service in the Pacific Theater with VPB-26 FAW-1, his duties included: Long range reconnaissance, dumbo and hunter-killer missions; and convoy escort. (Reconnaissance conducted over enemy-held Ponape and Wake Islands and along the China Coast). He was awarded the Navy Air Medal for Meritorious Completion of anti-shipping and patrol flights, earning 3 stars by the war's end. He received a citation from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal for action during the Invasion of Okinawa. He was the sole surviving son who had his parents sign a waiver allowing him to enter the Navy.