World War II Honoree

Arthur Robert Gralla

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

Served in the Pacific Theater of Operations aboard the USS Reno as gunnery officer. The Reno was an anti-aircraft cruiser. On October 14, 1944, the Reno shot down 11 Japanese torpedo bombers. On October 24, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Reno engaged the enemy to shield the heavily damaged USS Princeton. On November 3, after the Reno was struck by an enemy torpedo and began taking on water, he led the dewatering effort, which saved the ship. He was awarded the Bronze Star, a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. In 1945, he became the gunnery officer of the USS Macon.