World War II Honoree

Buford F. 'B.F.' Pringle

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Lawton, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE SUBMARINE TENDER USS PROTEUS (AS-19). AFTER A SHAKEDOWN CRUISE OFF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, HIS SHIP SAILED FROM SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA ON MARCH 19, 1944 FOR MIDWAY ISLAND TO TEND SUBMARINES. SHE ARRIVED MAY 3, 1944, AND OPERATED THERE UNTIL DECEMBER 1, 1944. STEAMED TO PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON DECEMBER 4, 1944 AND SAILED FOR GUAM IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS ON FEBRUARY 5, 1945. THERE, THE TENDER COMPLETED REPAIRS AND REFITS UNTIL THE END OF HOSTILITIES. ASSIGNED TO OCCUPATION DUTY AFTER THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TERMS. HIS SHIP STEAMED OFF THE COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN AND THEN ANCHORED IN SAGAMI WAN TO BEGIN DEMILITARIZING SUBMARINES, HUMAN TORPEDOES, TORPEDO BOATS, AND SUICIDE BOATS AT YOKOSUKA AND OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE SAGAMI WAN-TOKYO BAY AREAS. ALSO ASSIGNED TO REPAIR JAPANESE SUBMARINES, THE TENDER REMAINED THERE UNTIL NOVEMBER 1, 1945. RETURNED TO THE STATES VIA THE PANAMA CANAL AND ARRIVED AT NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT ON DECEMBER 16, 1945. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL WITH ‘ASIA’ CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.