World War II Honoree

James Russell 'Jim' Gailey, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Commerce, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1941. SERVED AS A SIGNALMAN ON AN ANTIAIRCRAFT GUN MOUNT OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE LIGHT CRUISER USS HELENA (CL-50). HIS SHIP WAS MOORED NEAR THE BATTLESHIP USS OKLAHOMA (BB-37) IN PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. HE HAD A RINGSIDE VIEW OF THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION THAT TOOK PLACE, AND WAS A PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR. HIS SHIP WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO BE STRUCK BY A TORPEDO BUT CONTINUED IN ACTION, ALTHOUGH SOME 20 OF HIS SHIPMATES DIED. LATER, WAS REASSIGNED TO THE HIGH SPEED TRANSPORT SHIP USS CHASE (APD-54). HIS FORMER SHIP, THE USS HELENA WAS SUNK DURING THE BATTLE OF KULA GULF, BUT FORTUNATELY, FOR HIM, AFTER HE HAD BEEN TRANSFERRED. PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS, INCLUDING AT GUADALCANAL AND OKINAWA. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. CONTINUED IN U.S. NAVY SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT WITH THE RANK OF SENIOR CHIEF QUARTERMASTER.