World War II Honoree

Francis L. Gelzheiser

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Michael Lynett

SERVED THREE YEARS AS AN ELECTRICIAN'S MATE IN THE U.S. NAVY ON PT BOAT 221, SQUADRON 16, IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE JOURNEYED TO THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS OF ALASKA, FACING 35 FOOT SEAS IN A 70 FOOT WOODEN BOAT. HE AND HIS SHIPMATES RECEIVED NAVY UNIT COMMENDATIONS FOR THEIR HEROIC ACTIONS AT MINDORO, WHICH INCLUDED THE RESCUE OF MEN FROM A TROOPSHIP AFTER IT EXPLODED FROM A KAMIKAZE HIT.