World War II Honoree

Ivan Prokity

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Tarentum, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Paul F. Edwards

Relationship

Grandnephew

HE JOINED THE NAVY IN THE SPRING OF 1942. HE TOOK BOOT TRAINING AT GREAT LAKES NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, THEN WENT TO LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY FOR TRAINING IN AEROGRAPHY. HE WAS THEN SENT TO THE WEST COAST, AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS PONDERA, A TROOP TRANSPORT. THEY SHUTTLED MARINES ALL AROUND THE PACIFIC, AND HIS SHIP WAS BEAT UP BY THE GREAT TYPHOON OF 1945 THAT WIPED OUT QUITE A FEW OF HALSEY'S FLEET. AFTER THE WAR ENDED, THE SHIP MADE PORT CALLS IN CHINA, THEN OKINAWA WHERE THEY LOADED UP FOR THE TRIP TO THE STATES. HE GOT OFF THE SHIP IN SEATTLE, BUT WAS ASSIGNED TO SHORE PATROL DUTY FOR SIX MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE WAR. HE EARNED SEVERAL SERVICE MEDALS FOR CAMPAIGNS HIS SHIP WAS IN.