World War II Honoree

Gilbert James Noguera

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Island Park, New York

Honored By

G. Holman King

ENLISTED ON 27 FEBRUARY 1943 AT AGE 17 IN NEW YORK CITY. COMPLETED SIX WEEK BOOT CAMP AT CAMP PEARY, VIRGINIA. ASSIGNED TO 87TH U.S. NAVAL SEABEE BATTALION AS APPRENTICE SEAMAN IN THE DISPENSARY. BATTALION TOOK ADVANCED TRAINING AT CAMP ENDICOTT, QUONSET POINT, RHODE ISLAND. STAGED FOR SHIPMENT OVERSEAS AT CAMP ROSSEAU, HUENEME, CALIFORNIA. BOARDED SS ROBIN WENTLEY (USS NORTHERN STAR) AND SAILED ON 28TH AUGUST 1943. MADE PORT CALLS AT NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA AND PORT GUADALCANAL. UNLOADED 30 SEPTEMBER 1943 ON BANIKA ISLAND IN THE RUSSELL ISLANDS GROUP TO STAGE FOR TREASURY ISLAND INVASION. BATTALION BUILT AIR FIELD IN STIRLING GROUP OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. STIRLING FIELD OPENED 19 DECEMBER, 1943 AS BASE FOR CORSAIRS, B-25 AND C-47 AIRCRAFT. HAD ONE REST AND RECUPERATION LEAVE AT NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA DURING CHRISTMAS, 1944. WITH 87TH BATTALION FOR 18 MONTHS. ASSIGNED TO FLEET HOSPITAL 107 EARLY 1945. TOOK TEST FOR PHARMACIST'S MATE THIRD CLASS. ASSIGNED TO FLEET HOSPITAL 105 IN NEW CALEDONIA. BOARDED HOSPITAL SHIP TO SAN FRANCISCO, ARRIVING END OF JUNE, 1945. TOOK TRAIN ACROSS U.S. STARTED 30 DAY LEAVE IN NEW YORK 4 JULY 1945. THEN ASSIGNED TO DUTY AT FARGO BUILDING, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. THERE WHEN WAR ENDED. ASSIGNED TO QUONSET POINT, RHODE ISLAND NAVAL STATION HOSPITAL WHICH WAS BEING CLOSED. DISCHARGED 18 FEBRUARY,1946 AT RANK OF PHARMACIST'S MATE THIRD CLASS. AWARDED WWII VICTORY, ASIATIC-PACIFIC AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS.