World War II Honoree

Armengol A. Guerra, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND JOINED THE NAVAL SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1939. HE ATTENDED BASIC TRAINING AT THE NAVAL TRAINING CENTER AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA AND WAS PROMOTED TO APPRENTICE SEAMAN. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-41). BEFORE REPORTING FOR DUTY HE WAS SENT TO COURT REPORTING SCHOOL WHERE HE GRADUATED NUMBER 1 OUT OF 42 AS THE ONLY HISPANIC IN THE CLASS. HE WAS ORDERED TO MEET HIS SHIP AT NORFOLK, VIRGINIA BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. HE WAS THEN ASSIGNED TO REPORT TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF. HIS DUTY WAS TO RECEIVE DICTATION, TYPE AND DISTRIBUTE THE ORDERS. WHEN JAPAN ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR HE RECEIVED ORDERS TO REPORT TO THE EMBASSY IN SANTIAGO, CHILE. HE SERVED WELL IN THE LIAISON OFFICE UNTIL HE RECEIVED ORDERS TO U.S. SUBMARINE SCHOOL FOR WHICH HE APPLIED. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS LAGARTO BUT WHEN HE REPORTED ANOTHER PETTY OFFICER HELD HIS POSITION AND REFUSED TO GIVE IT UP. THE USS LAGARTO WAS SUNK IN THE BAY OF BENGAL WITH ALL HANDS. HE SERVED A TOUR ON BOARD THE USS MISSISSIPPI. WAS THEN ASSIGNED TO THE USS PLAICE (SS-390) WHERE HE SERVED THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR. WHEN JAPAN SURRENDERED IN 1945 HE WAS SENT BACK TO THE STATES WHERE HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY. WAS VERY PROUD OF HIS SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY. HE WAS HIGHLY DECORATED AND EDUCATED DURING HIS TOURS OF SERVICE.