World War II Honoree

Richard Lee 'Dick' Heath

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE ON JUNE 22, 1945, AT THE END OF HOSTILITIES, AT AGE 17. HE SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER ON THE WEST COAST, INCLUDING AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA ABOARD THE ESCORT AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS TULAGI (CVE-72). HE WAS SERVING IN THE AMERICAN THEATER WHEN THE ATOMIC BOMBS WERE DROPPED ON JAPAN IN AUGUST, 1945, AND THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TERMS AND FORMALLY SURRENDERED IN TOKYO BAY, JAPAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945. HIS SHIP DEPARTED THE WEST COAST ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1945, FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AND STEAMED VIA HAWAII FOR THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. THE CARRIER EMBARKED PLANES AT SAMAR IN THE PHILIPPINES, FOR TRANSPORTATION BACK TO THE UNITED STATES AND REACHED PEARL HARBOR IN OCTOBER, 1945. RETURNED TO SAN DIEGO IN JANUARY, 1946. AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON AUGUST 2, 1946, WITH THE RATING OF SEAMAN FIRST CLASS AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.