World War II Honoree

Baulty Alfred 'B.A.' Dudley

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Reagan, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, INCLUDING AS AN ADMIRAL'S ENLISTED AIDE ABOARD THE ESCORT AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-106). THE CARRIER ARRIVED AT LEYTE GULF IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON JUNE 19, 1945 FOR OPERATIONS. SUPPORTED AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS AT BALIKPAPAN ON BORNEO BEGINNING JUNE 30, 1945 WITH AIRCRAFT ATTACKING GROUND TARGETS AND PROVIDING COMBAT AIR PATROLS. THE WARSHIP WAS IN APRA HARBOR ON GUAM IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS WHEN THE ATOMIC BOMBS WERE DROPPED ON JAPAN IN EARLY AUGUST, 1945. HIS SHIP WAS EN ROUTE FROM GUAM TO LEYTE WHEN WORD OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TERMS REACHED THEM ON AUGUST 14, 1945. AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES, HIS SHIP PARTICIPATED IN EVACUATION OF ALLIED PRISONERS OF WAR FROM CAMPS IN NORTHERN FORMOSA. AWARDED THE CHINA SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RATING OF SEAMAN SECOND CLASS AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.