World War II Honoree

Luis Gutierrez

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

San Diego, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Seaman Second Class. He was inducted into the United States December 10, 1941 at San Diego, California, with recruit at the U.S. Training Station San Diego, California. After completing boot camp, he was transferred to the USS Neosho Tanker, AO-23 for duty, and his shipmates participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea against the Imperial Japanese Naval Aviators (Battle Dates: May 4-8, 1942) in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. On the Eighth, at 11:00 hours the Tanker/Oiler came under attack, and was sunk after sustaining multiple bomb strikes. Reported missing in action on the day of the attack. In remembrance of the brave, 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.