World War II Honoree

Joseph Dysken

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Sag Harbor, New York

Honored By

VFW Post 550, East Hampton, NY

HE ENLISTED IN THE U.S. NAVY LATE 1939 JUST ABOUT THE TIME THE USS HELENA, LIGHT CRUISER CL-50 WAS BEING COMMISSIONED. THE SHIPS PORT AFTER ITS SHAKEDOWN CRUISE WAS PEARL HARBOR. HIS INITIAL ASSIGNMENT WAS ALSO THE PEARL AND THE USS HELENA. FROM PEARL HARBOR (THEY WERE HIT BY ONE TORPEDO) TO THE KULA GULF THEY WERE IN 16 ENGAGEMENTS EARNING SEVEN BATTLE STARS PLUS BEING THE FIRST SHIP TO BE AWARDED THE NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION. DURING THE BATTLE OF KULA GULF, THE USS HELENA, AFTER BEING HIT WITH THREE TORPEDOES IN QUICK SUCCESSION STARTED TO SPLIT IN 3 SECTIONS, AND HE WAS DECLARED KILLED IN ACTION.