World War II Honoree

Vito J. Chieco

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Bronx, New York

Honored By

Jonathan Chieco

Relationship

Son

ENLISTED AT THE AGE OF 17 AND SERVED AS AN ARMED GUARD GUNNER ON THE MERCHANT MARINE SHIP THE SS EXIRIA AND THEN THE TROOP SHIP USAT SANTA ROSA IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC AND MEDITERRANEAN SEA IN 1943. ENGAGED AND SHOT DOWN A GERMAN MESSERSCHMITT PLANE THAT WAS STRAFING THE TROOP SHIP AND SAVED LIVES. TRANSFERRED TO THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS IN LATE 1944 AND SERVED ON GUAM AND SAIPAN BEFORE BEING ASSIGNED TO THE USS PATTERSON (DE-392). PARTICIPATED IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND THE INVASION OF OKINAWA. MANY NAVY FLYERS WERE SAVED BY THE CREW OF THE USS PATTERSON. AT THE END OF THE WAR THE USS PATTERSON ESCORTED THE BATTLESHIP MISSOURI HOME.