World War II Honoree

William Elmer 'Bill' Harlan, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Seminole, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

MOVED WITH HIS FAMILY TO RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR TO WORK IN THE SHIPYARDS THERE. HE AND HIS FATHER BOTH WORKED, DOING THEIR PART FOR THE WAR EFFORT. WORKED UNTIL 1945 WHEN HE ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE, AT THE END OF THE WAR. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE ESCORT AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS KADASHAN BAY (CVE-76). HIS SHIP WAS ASSIGNED AS A REPLENISHMENT CARRIER FOR THE THIRD FLEET AT THE END OF THE WAR. HIS SHIP PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION ‘MAGIC CARPET’ AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. THIS WAS THE CODE NAME FOR THE RAPID RETURN OF SERVICE PERSONNEL BY WARSHIPS AND TRANSPORT VESSELS FROM THEATER TO THE U.S.A. HIS CARRIER SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY FROM SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER, 1945, MAKING TRIPS FROM PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII; GUAM IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS; OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS; AND CHINA, BACK TO THE UNITED STATES. AWARDED THE CHINA SERVICE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON JULY 8, 1946 AT NORMAN, OKLAHOMA WITH THE RATING OF SEAMAN FIRST CLASS AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. CONTINUED IN OKLAHOMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, RESERVE AND ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.