World War II Honoree

Donald C. Wheeless

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hopkinton, Iowa

Honored By

Marjorie

Relationship

Wife

ASSIGNED DUTY AS A RADIO OPERATOR ABOARD THE DESTROYER, USS FITCH. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS DURING THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA AND SUBSEQUENT TO THE INVASION OF FRANCE. MISSION ASSIGNED TO SHIP WAS MINE LAYING, ESCORTING CONVOYS AND DRAW OUT AND SILENCE GERMAN BATTERIES PRIOR TO LANDINGS. AFTER VICTORY IN EUROPE, ASSIGNED TO DESTROYER USS KNIGHT IN THE PACIFIC WHERE MISSION WAS PRIMARILY MINE LAYING AND MINE SWEEPING. MISSION OF SWEEP WAS BETWEEN OKINAWA AND JAPAN HOME ISLAND AND INCLUDED TOKYO BAY WHERE SURRENDER OF JAPAN WAS SIGNED ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP, USS MISSOURI.