Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Coshocton County, Ohio
Honored By
Mariano Vasta
Relationship
Family Friend
SERVED AS A SIGNALMAN 2ND CLASS ONBOARD THE USS MAYO (DD-422) DURING OPERATION SHINGLE (ANZIO ASSAULT) EARLY 1944. THE SHIP WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BY ENEMY AIRCRAFT ATTACK. FORTUNATELY, HE SURVIVED AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE LANSDALE (DD-426), BUT IRONICALLY, THAT SHIP WAS ACTUALLY SUNK BY ENEMY AIRCRAFT. MIRACULOUSLY, HE WAS RESCUED AND SURVIVED TWO NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES AT SEA.