World War II Honoree

John Francis Read

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Fireman Second Class. On February 13, he was inducted into the United States Navy at Denver, Colorado. Served aboard the USS Pensacola Cruiser 'Grey Ghost' CA-24 in the Pacific Theater of Operations. On November 29, 1943 the cruiser and her shipmates, along with an armada of other battleships, cruisers and destroyers arrived offshore of Guadalcanal, to intercept a fleet of Imperial Japanese naval war ships. Reported missing in action, lost at sea Monday, November 30, 1942 during a night-time battle, ‘Battle of Tassafaronga’ Solomon Islands campaign. The Cruiser was heavily damaged by enemy torpedoes strikes, and due to the gallant efforts of the crew, they saved their Cruiser. The ship's Captain was able to drop anchor near the island of Tulagi for repairs. Later his missing in action status was amended to read, killed in action December 1, 1943. In his Memory and Honor, a cenotaph memorial has been placed at the Delta Cemetery in Delta, Colorado. His name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at the American Cemetery at Fort William-McKinley in Manila, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.