World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
Garlan Hewin
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Stilwell, Oklahoma
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Seaman Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy August 13, 1942 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he was transferred to the USS Nashville Cruiser, CL-43 for duty as an on-the-job trainee. The Cruiser and her shipmates on October 16, 1944 sailed from Manus Island, Australia Admiralty Islands transporting General MacArthur, and his staff back to the Philippines. The General’s return marked the invasion of the Philippine Islands, against the Imperial Japanese armed forces, (Battle Dates: October 17-December 26, 1944) Code Name: King Two, Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. On December 13, 1944 an Imperial Japanese Kamikaze Pilot flew into the Cruiser off-shore of Negros Island. Killed in action on the day of the attack, during the liberation of the Philippines, and buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Leyte #1 Philippine Islands. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Seaman received his remains for burial, with interment at the Stilwell City Cemetery in Stilwell, Oklahoma. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.