World War II Honoree

Acel James Ackley

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Cement, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1944. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, INCLUDING IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AREA, DURING THE WAR. SERVED ABOARD THE ATTACK TRANSPORT SHIP USS KENTON (APA-122), AND THE BATTLESHIP USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62). PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND AT THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS, IN 1945. THEN, PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION ‘MAGIC CARPET’ AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. THIS WAS THE CODE NAME FOR THE RAPID RETURN OF SERVICE PERSONNEL BY WARSHIPS AND TRANSPORT VESSELS FROM THEATER TO THE U.S.A. AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.