World War II Honoree

Raymond Roseberry Aldrich

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Deer Creek, Oklahoma

Honored By

Joe M. Aldrich

Relationship

Son

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY ON NOVEMBER 28, 1942. ACTIVE ON JANUARY 14, 1943 AND WAS IMMEDIATELY ASSIGNED TO THE NAVY SEABEES GROUP AS A MACHINIST MATE 2ND CLASS BASED ON HIS PRIOR EXPERIENCE AND THE COLLEGE CLASSES HE HAD COMPLETED. UPON GRADUATION FROM BOOT CAMP, HE WAS SELECTED TO SERVE AS AN EXPERT RIFLEMAN TO HELP TRAIN NEW RECRUITS IN THE USE, MAINTENANCE, AND HANDLING OF MULTIPLE HAND HELD MILITARY WEAPONS. SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY FOR 17 MONTHS. TRANSFERRED TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS TO SERVE WITH OTHER SEABEE UNITS TO BUILD MILITARY BASES, FACILITIES, AIR STRIPS, AND ASSIST WITH TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS. IN ADDITION HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE MOTOR POOL TO SUPPORT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR TO NUMEROUS TYPES OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES. SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY FOR 14 MONTHS. AWARDED THE FOLLOWING MEDALS: AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH ONE STAR. ALSO EARNED THE EXPERT RIFLEMAN BADGE. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 6, 1945