World War II Honoree

Melvin LeRoy Elder

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Kansas City, Kansas

Honored By

Bend Heroes Foundation

RADIOMAN 3RD CLASS, ENLISTED IN THE NAVY ON 9 MARCH 1944 IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. HE WAS A FLEET RADIOMAN WHILE SERVING IN THE PACIFIC ABOARD THE TRANSPORT USS MELLETTE APA-156, USS HINSDALE APA-120, USS PICKENS APA-190, USS KERSHAW APA-176, AND ESCORT CARRIER USS PALAU CVE-122. HE PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS AGAINST IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA AND RECEIVED AWARDS AND CITATIONS INCLUDING THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BATTLE STARS. WHILE OFF OF OKINAWA A KAMIKAZE AIRCRAFT STRUCK HIS SHIP, USS HINSDALE, AMIDSHIPS STRIKING THE ENGINE ROOM, RESULTING IN SERIOUS DAMAGE ALONG WITH FIFTEEN MEN DEAD AND 40 MISSING OR WOUNDED.