World War II Honoree

Emilio John Battagliese

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

Joseph Battagliese

Relationship

Nephew

HE PROUDLY GAVE-UP HIS SELECTIVE SERVICE EXEMPTION AND ENLISTED ON APRIL 29, 1943. APPLYING HIS TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN INSTALLING AND INSPECTING NAVAL RADAR INSTALLATIONS, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE NEWLY COMMISSIONED DESTROYER, USS COGSWELL DD-651, AS RADARMAN 3RD CLASS. HIS SHIP ARRIVED IN PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 9, 1943 AND JOINED A CARRIER TASK FORCE; THEY WERE INVOLVED IN MANY OPERATIONS IN THE PACIFIC UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. THE USS COGSWELL ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE SURRENDER CEREMONIES AT TOKYO BAY AND AFTER SUPPORTING THE OCCUPATION, RETURNED HOME IN DECEMBER 1945. HE RECEIVED HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGED AS RADARMAN, 2ND CLASS, ON FEBRUARY 4, 1946. RECEIVED THE WWII VICTORY RIBBON, AMERICAN THEATRE RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC RIBBON 10 STARS, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON 2 STARS.