World War II Honoree

Leroy V. Hatfield

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Sharon Springs, Kansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

VOLUNTEERED FOR SERVICE WITH THE U.S. MARITIME SERVICE (USMS) AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. USMS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING MEN FOR THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE (USMM). UPON COMPLETION OF TRAINING, HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN THE USMS AND WENT TO SERVE IN THE MERCHANT MARINE. THE USMM WAS A CIVILIAN AUXILIARY OF THE U.S. NAVY THAT OPERATED A FLEET OF CIVILIAN-OWNED SHIPS THAT CARRIED CARGO AND PASSENGERS TO ALL FRONTS. SERVED IN THE USMM DURING THE WAR UNTIL HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS, AND AWARDED THE HONORABLE SERVICE BUTTON. ISSUED THE MERCHANT MARINE SERVICE EMBLEM.