World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Max J. Palena
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Honored By
A Grateful American
HE SERVED AS A LIEUTENANT ABOARD THE ESCORT CARRIER USS LUNGA POINT. RECIPIENT OF THE SILVER STAR FOR BRAVERY, ON FEBRUARY 18, 1945 ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE CARRIER HAD A MIDAIR PROBLEM WITH ONE OF IT'S FIRE BOMBS. THE PLANE HEADED BACK TO THE CARRIER FOR REPAIRS, BUT AS IT LANDED THE BOMB BROKE LOOSE AND SKIDDED ACROSS THE FLIGHT DECK. HE IMMEDIATELY RAN TO THE MOVING BOMB AND THREW HIMSELF ACROSS IT, CLINGING TO THE EXPLOSIVE. AFTER DISARMING THE BOMB , HE THREW IT OVERBOARD, SAVING THE SHIP FROM SERIOUS DAMAGE.