World War II Honoree

Colson Barrett

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Moores Hill, Indiana

Honored By

Matthew Chadwell

Relationship

Grandson

PARTICIPATED IN INVASION OF KISKA AS LANDING CRAFT, LANDING TROOPS ON D-DAY, AUGUST 15, 1943. ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN INVASION OF ROI-NAMUR ISLAND RENDERING CLOSE IN FIRE SUPPORT TO ASSAULT TROOPS AS THEY LANDED AND FURTHER PARTICIPATED IN SEIZURE OF LESSER MARSHALL ISLANDS. JANUARY 31, 1944-APRIL 11, 1944. TOOK ACTIVE PART IN SPECIAL MISSION AT GUAM RENDERING CLOSE IN FIRE SUPPORT FOR UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAMS PRIOR TO D-DAY. ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF SAIPAN AND TINIAN. COMMENCED OPERATION ON SAIPAN JUNE 20, 1944 AND TINIAN JULY 24, 1944, RENDERING CLOSE IN FIRE SUPPORT FOR ASSAULT TROOPS. ALSO TOOK PART IN CLOSE IN FIRE SUPPORT OF AGUIJAN IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS. RECOMMENDED FOR BRONZE STAR AWARD FOR ACTION PRIOR TO D-DAY AT GUAM. PARTICIPATED IN ACTION AT IWO JIMA, SULPHUR ISLANDS, COVERING UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAMS ON DOG MINUS TWO DAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1945. DURING THIS ACTION TEN OUT OF THIRTEEN GUNBOATS WERE KNOCKED OUT OF ACTION AND ONE SUNK BY ENEMY FIRE. DURING HEAVY FIRE, HE STOOD BY HIS EXPOSED BATTLE STATION SHOWING EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE. ALSO PARTICIPATED IN SUPPORT OF RECONNAISSANCE AND LANDING ON KAMA AND KANGOKU ISLANDS. AT IWO JIMA FROM FEBRUARY 17-APRIL 5, 1945.