World War II Honoree

Arthur J. Criscione

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

North Bergen, New Jersey

Honored By

Family

SHIP: LCI 1055. DUTIES: RADIO OPERATOR. AWARDS, CITATIONS AND CAMPAIGN RIBBONS: CHINA SERVICE MEDAL (EXTENDED), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL (WITH ASIA CLASP), AND PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL. THE 1055 RECEIVED TWO BATTLE STARS FOR WWII SERVICE. CAMPAIGNS: LUZON OPERATION, LINGAYEN GULF LANDING (JANUARY 9, 1945), OKINAWA GUNTO OPERATION, ASSAULT AND OCCUPATION OF OKINAWA GUNTO, (MARCH 26 TO JUNE 14, 1945). DURING THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA, THE SHIP WAS ATTACKED BY A KAMIKAZE. THE ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS ON HIS SHIP SHOT DOWN THE PLANE BEFORE IT COULD SCORE A DIRECT HIT. THE PLANE’S WING GRAZED THE HULL AND FLIPPED INTO THE SEA AND ITS BOMBS DETONATED WHICH JOLTED THE SHIP. POWER WAS LOST BRIEFLY BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED.