World War II Honoree

Harold C. Neal

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Quapaw, Ottawa County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE AT AGE 19. SERVED BEGINNING IN JULY, 1943, INCLUDING IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT CAMP PARKS NEAR OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA. SHIPPED OVERSEAS ON OCTOBER 21, 1944 AND ARRIVED AT PEARL HARBOR, TERRITORY OF HAWAII ON OCTOBER 29, 1944. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 14TH NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION (SEABEES). WHILE STATIONED IN HAWAII, HIS BATTALION WORKED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF MARINE CORPS AIR STATION AT EWA, AND BARBER'S POINT NAVAL AIR STATION. HIS UNIT DEPARTED PEARL HARBOR IN MARCH, 1945 FOR SAIPAN IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS, WHERE IT STAGED FOR THE INVASION OF OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS. SERVED ON OKINAWA BEGINNING IN MAY, 1945. WHILE ON OKINAWA, HIS BATTALION BUILT ROADS, REPAIRED BRIDGES, AND CONSTRUCTED HARBOR FACILITIES. DURING THE EARLY MONTHS AFTER THE WAR, HIS UNIT WAS ENGAGED IN BUILDING FACILITIES FOR OCCUPATION FORCES. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN MARCH, 1946 AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.