World War II Honoree

Alonza Julian Gibson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Madison, Florida

Honored By

William David Wilson, American Legion Post 68

He enlisted in the U.S. NAVY on 23 February 1942 in Macon, Georgia. he was assigned duty on the repair ship USS ALCOR from April 1942 until 5 November 1942 when he was transferred to the USS HARRY LEE serving until 26 February 1943. The USS HARRY LEE participated in amphibious landing maneuvers in the Caribbean. On 26 February 1943 until 30 November 1943, he was assigned to the Amphibious Training Base in Camp Bradford, Virginia. He was then assigned to the USS ZEILIN from 30 November 1943 until 12 January 1944 when he was transferred to the USS CAMBRIA and participated in the Marshall Island invasions with the USS CAMBRIA serving as the flagship for the Majuro Attack Group during the landings. From April 1944 until 4 July 1944 he was assigned to the U.S. Navy Recruiting Station-San Francisco. From 4 July 1944 until 1 October 1945, he served on the USS MASTIC, with duty stations in the Mariana Islands and the Western Caroline Islands. During the later months of fighting in the Pacific the USS MASTIC operated primarily out of Ulithi, but in addition served at Guam, Saipan, and Peleliu. He was discharged in October 1945 with the rank of Boatswain's Mate First Class.