World War II Honoree

Walter Worthington Henry

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Kansas City, Missouri

Honored By

MaryAnne Burkman

Relationship

Daughter

FROM JUNE 1942 TO JULY 1942 HE WAS THE ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR SECTION BASE; SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. SHORE DUTY INCLUDED STANDING WATCHES AT THE HARBOR ENTRANCE AND CONTROL POST. FROM JULY 1942 TO OCTOBER 1942 HE WAS THE COMMUNICATION WATCH OFFICER FOR COMAIRPAC (COMMANDER AIR FORCES PACIFIC); STATIONED FLEET DUTY AT FORD ISLAND (HAWAII). STOOD COMMUNICATION WATCHES. FROM OCTOBER 1942 TO JANUARY 1944 HE WAS THE MATERIALS OFFICER FOR PATSU 1-1 (PATROL AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT), STATIONED AT FLEET AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT ON GUADALCANAL, FLEET DUTY. SECURED MATERIALS FOR THE SQUADRON, STOOD OPERATION WATCHES, GUNNERY AND ASSISTANT PERSONNEL. OFFICER IN CHARGE OF DETACHMENT, SECURITY OFFICER. WHILE ON GUADALCANAL, HE AND HIS UNIT WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING PBY5A PATROL AIRCRAFT FLYING. THE PLANES WERE CALLED 'BLACK CATS'. THEY WERE PAINTED FLAT BLACK SO THEY WERE HARDER TO SEE ON NIGHT FLYING MISSIONS. FROM JANUARY 1944 TO SEPTEMBER 1945 HE WAS THE STATION EDUCATION OFFICER FOR CUDDIHY FIELD, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, SHORE DUTY. IN CHARGE OF ENLISTED TRAINING; INSURANCE, WAR BOND, RATIONING AND OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE OFFICER'S CLUB.