World War II Honoree

LeRoof Poythress

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Savannah, Georgia

Honored By

Barbara Poythress Neal

Relationship

Cousin

AS WWII BEGAN, CONTINUED SERVING ON USS BAINBRIDGE, A DESTROYER, MAKING STOREKEEPER 2ND CLASS BEFORE BEING DETACHED IN MARCH 1943 FOLLOWING HIS ONLY BROTHER BEING KILLED IN ACTION. AS SOLE SURVIVING SON ORDERED TO NAVY UNIT AT GEORGIA TECH, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, REPORTING 5 JUNE 1943; THERE ADVANCED TO CHIEF STOREKEEPER 1 JULY 1943 AND APPOINTED ACTING PAY CLERK (WARRANT OFFICER) 15 JULY 1943. AS WARRANT OFFICER, LOST SOLE SON STATUS AND IMMEDIATELY ASSIGNED TO USS BIRGIT, INITIALLY DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND AFTER ITS OCTOBER 1943 COMMISSIONING HEADED TO PEARL HARBOR, ARRIVING 25 DECEMBER 1943, AND FROM THERE SERVED IN SOUTH PACIFIC, RE-SUPPLYING U.S. ARMY UNITS MANNING THE ISLANDS UNTIL RETURNED TO U.S. AT SAN FRANCISCO ON 1 JANUARY 1946.