World War II Honoree

Melvin Ernest Radcliffe

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Reno, Nevada

Honored By

Scott Colson

Relationship

Grandson-in-Law

HE WAS APPOINTED MIDSHIPMAN FROM NEVADA, AND REPORTED TO THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND. HE WAS DETACHED FROM THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY AND COMMISSIONED ENSIGN. HE WAS THEN COMMISSIONED LIEUTENANT (JUNIOR GRADE). FROM JUNE 26 1939 TO DECEMBER 21, 1941 HE SERVED ON THE USS HUGHES. ON DECEMBER 17, 1941 HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS SIMS AND REPORTED ON DECEMBER 21, 1941. ON DECEMBER 24, 1941 HE WAS APPOINTED LIEUTENANT (FOR TEMPORARY SERVICE). ON MARCH 6, 1942, HE WAS COMMISSIONED REGULAR LIEUTENANT. ON MAY 7, 1942, HE WAS OFFICIALLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION WHEN THE USS SIMS WAS LOST IN THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA IN THE ASIATIC AREA DUE TO ENEMY ACTION.