World War II Honoree

James M. 'Jim' Chandler, II

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS AN OFFICER IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE SEAPLANE TENDER USS PINE ISLAND (AV-12). DEPARTED CALIFORNIA ON JUNE 16, 1945, FOR OKINAWA. THERE, HIS SHIP TENDED SEAPLANES ENGAGED IN AIR-SEA RESCUE OPERATIONS DURING THE FINAL PHASES OF THE WAR. THE SHIP WAS CAUGHT IN A TERRIFYING TYPHOON WHILE OPERATING NEAR OKINAWA. AT THE END OF THE WAR, THE TENDER ENTERED TOKYO BAY, JAPAN AND SUPPORTED SEAPLANE FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN IN 1945. FOLLOWING OCCUPATION DUTY IN JAPAN, HIS SHIP SUPPORTED SEAPLANE FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN THE WHANGPOO RIVER NEAR SHANGHAI, CHINA. SAILED FROM THE PACIFIC IN 1946, AND STEAMED VIA THE SUEZ CANAL TO NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. AWARDED THE CHINA SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE BATTLE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL WITH ‘ASIA’ CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.