World War II Honoree

Earl J. Guernsey

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Detroit, Michigan

Honored By

Bernie Scott

Relationship

Friend

HE GRADUATED FROM YPSILANTI HIGH SCHOOL IN 1944 AT AGE 17 AND ENLISTED IN THE U.S. NAVY. THE NAVY DELAYED HIS ENTRY UNTIL HIS 18TH BIRTHDAY. DURING WHICH TIME HE WORKED IN A FORD MOTOR COMPANY OPERATED AIRPLANE FACTORY IN YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN OPERATING A HAND HELD RIVETER INSTALLING PANELS TO THE SIDE FUSELAGE OF B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBERS. HIS OFFICIAL ENTRY INTO THE U.S. NAVY WAS IN FEBRUARY 1945. HE TRAINED AT THE GREAT LAKES NAVAL TRAINING CENTER. HE WAS DEPLOYED TO SANTA MARGARITA RANCH NAVAL HOSPITAL ADJACENT TO CAMP PENDLETON MARINE BASE IN CALIFORNIA AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT. HE ALSO SERVED DUTY AT TREASURE ISLAND NAVAL HOSPITAL LOCATED IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY FOR ACUTE CARE ILLNESS AND MOST SERIOUSLY INJURED SOLDIERS FROM THE PACIFIC WAR ZONE.