World War II Honoree

Howard Elmer Cohen

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

New York, New York

Honored By

Tommy Burgdorf

HE JOINED THE UNITED STATES NAVY SOMETIME AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN 1944. HE SERVED ON THE USS GEORGE K. MACKENZIE DD-836 AS A SEAMAN 1ST CLASS RADIOMAN. HE WAS PART OF THE COMMISSIONING CREW. THE VESSEL WAS COMMISSIONED ON JULY 13, 1945, CLOSE TO THE END IF THE WAR. WHILE ONBOARD HE WAS PROMOTED TO 3RD CLASS PETTY OFFICER RADIOMAN. AFTER SHAKEDOWN OFF CUBA, THE MACKENZIE RETURNED TO BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ON 15 SEPTEMBER 1945 AND SUBSEQUENTLY PARTICIPATED IN THE NAVY DAY CELEBRATIONS ON 27 OCTOBER AT SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. SHE SERVED WITH THE OPERATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FORCE AT NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, HER HOME PORT, AND CONDUCTED TRAINING EXERCISES AND ESCORT DUTIES ALONG THE ATLANTIC SEABOARD. HE WAS MUSTERED OUT OF THE SERVICE ON MAY 31, 1946.