World War II Honoree

John E. Curran

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Portland, Oregon

Honored By

Bend Heroes Foundation

PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS, ENLISTED IN THE NAVY ON 23 JUNE 1942 IN PORTLAND, OREGON. HE SERVED ABOARD THE DESTROYER USS WILSON DD-408 IN THE PACIFIC, SEEING ACTION AT GUADALCANAL, THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, THE MARIANA ISLANDS CAMPAIGN, THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA, GUAM, AND OKINAWA, WHERE HIS DUTIES INCLUDED OPERATING THE GENERAL QUARTERS PHONE ON THE BRIDGE. HIS AWARDS INCLUDED THE NAVY COMMENDATION WITH LETTER 'V' (VALOR), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL (10 BATTLE STARS), COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AND PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL (2 BATTLE STARS).