World War II Honoree

Solon B. Gilmore

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Overbrook, Kansas

Honored By

William M. Gilmore & Philip B. Gilmore

Relationship

Sons

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY WHEN ATTENDING KANSAS UNIVERSITY. TRAINED IN MIAMI AND NEW ORLEANS THEN DEPLOYED TO ENGLAND TO PARTICIPATE IN SHIP CONVOY TO AFRICA, DELIVERING ARMY AND MARINES ABOARD LANDING CRAFT. SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURY WHILE LANDING IN AFRICA. SERVED IN THE NORMANDY INVASION TRACKING CASUALTIES. RETURNED STATESIDE AND VOLUNTEERED FOR DUTY IN THE PACIFIC. WITNESSED THE SURRENDER OF JAPAN ABOARD SHIP AND WAS ON THE FIRST SHIP TO LAND IN JAPAN THEREAFTER.