World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
John Michael 'Jack' Gillen
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Rochester, New York
Honored By
Joan Gillen Conners
Relationship
Daughter
He was a pipefitter on the light cruiser USS Vincennes, with the rank of Shipfitter 3rd Class. On his first trip, he went through the Panama Canal on April 16, 1944 and then on to Pearl Harbor. During his service, he was involved in battles at the Mariana Islands, Philippine Islands, and Okinawa. Having battled the enemy and typhoons, and after recuperating from back and leg injuries at Sampson military base in Romulus, New York, he was honorably discharged in 1946.