World War II Honoree

Austin Edwin Cordray

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Helena, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE ON AUGUST 22, 1942 AT OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT THE U.S. NAVAL RESERVE MIDSHIPMAN SCHOOL AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK; DIESEL ENGINE SCHOOL AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY IN ITHACA, NEW YORK; AND SUBMARINE SCHOOL AT NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT. COMMISSIONED AN ENSIGN ON FEBRUARY 17, 1943. SERVED SOME 18 MONTHS OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, WITH THE 7TH FLEET, INCLUDING ABOARD THE MOTOR MINESWEEPER USS YMS-326, IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS OFF ALASKA IN THE BERING SEA. PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE ON APRIL 1, 1944. THEN SERVED ABOARD THE SUBMARINE USS CHUB (SS-329), AS COMMUNICATIONS, ENGINEERING, AND DIVING OFFICER FOR 3 SUCCESSFUL WAR PATROLS, IN THE TONKIN GULF, AND THE JAVA AND SOUTH CHINA SEAS. PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT ON NOVEMBER 1, 1945 AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. AWARDED THE SUBMARINE COMBAT PATROL INSIGNIA, COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 14, 1945 WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.