World War II Honoree

Joseph Gale Cathey

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Checotah, Oklahoma

Honored By

Amy Schmidt

Relationship

Granddaughter

HE SERVED ON VARIOUS LIBERTY SHIPS DURING WWII AND TOOK PART IN THE MURMANSK RUN AMONG OTHER MISSIONS. ON JANUARY 9, 1945, HE WAS ABOARD THE SS JONAS LIE NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO THE BRISTOL CHANNEL WHEN IT WAS TORPEDOED. HE SURVIVED BY JUMPING OVER THE SIDE OF THE SHIP INTO FRIGID NORTHEAST ATLANTIC WATERS AND SWIMMING TO A LIFE RAFT.