World War II Honoree

John E. Minerich, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Paonia, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: WATER TENDER. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE NAVY IN 1944 AND COMPLETED HIS BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AT THE U.S. NAVAL TRAINING STATION FARRAGUT, IDAHO. SERVED ABOARD THE HEAVY CRUISER, USS LOUISVILLE CA-28 IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES: MARSHALL ISLANDS, ENIWETOK, SAIPAN, TINIAN, GUAM, PELELIU, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND OKINAWA. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: PURPLE HEART, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 5 BATTLE STARS AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH 2 BATTLE STARS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS SUSTAINED IN THE BATTLE OF LEYTE, DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1946.