World War II Honoree

Valentino 'Val' Alvardo

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Montrose, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: CHIEF PETTY OFFICER. SERVED AS A DIESEL MOTOR MACHINIST ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP, USS MARYLAND, BB-46 IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE SURVIVED THE BOMBING AND STRAFING OF HIS SHIP THAT WAS ANCHORED ON BATTLESHIP ROW ALONG FORD ISLAND WHEN THE JAPANESE NAVAL ARMED FORCES ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR, 08:00 HOURS, SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 7, 1941. HE WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE DESTROYER, USS MCCALLA, DD-488, AS THE USS MARYLAND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED ‘UNFIT FOR SEA DUTY’ DURING THE ATTACK AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PUGET SOUND NAVAL YARD, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON FOR REPAIRS. CAMPAIGNS & BATTLES: GUADALCANAL, FIJI, NEW HEBRIDES, SOLOMON ISLANDS, INVASIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND OKINAWA. DECORATIONS: PURPLE HEART MEDAL (AWARDED FOR WOUNDS SUSTAINED DURING THE PEARL HARBOR ATTACK) NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH FOUR BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1946.