Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Ohio
Honored By
An Indebted American
ENLISTED IN APRIL 1939 AT THE AGE OF 17. SENT TO ELECTRONICS SCHOOL IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNED TO THE USS MUGFORD DD-389. EARLY IN 1940 THE FLEET MOVED FROM SAN DIEGO TO PEARL HARBOR IN ANTICIPATION OF WAR WITH JAPAN. THE USS MUGFORD PATROLLED PEARL HARBOR AND CONSISTENTLY MADE CONTACT WITH JAPANESE SUBMARINES. THE SHIP WAS DRY DOCKED FOR REPAIRS IN PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. HE OBSERVED THE ATTACKING AND SINKING OF THE SHIPS IN THE HARBOR. AFTER THE ATTACK, THE MUGFORD WAS IMMEDIATELY MADE READY FOR SEA DUTY. CONTINUED ACTIVE DUTY THROUGHOUT WWII. WHEN THE JAPANESE SURRENDERED IN 1945, THE MUGFORD CARRIED FREED ALLIED PRISONERS OF WAR HOME FROM JAPAN.