World War II Honoree

William F. Neuendorf, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Cleveland, Ohio

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Seaman First Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy November 5, 1935 at Cleveland, Ohio, 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 Nevada Battleship, BB-36 for duty as an on-the-job trainee, and based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Islands. He re-enlisted November 2, 1939 while on board his Battlewagon. On Sunday Morning, December 7, 1941 the Emperor of Japan’s Naval Aviators launched a devastating, surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base and other military installation on Oahu. The Nevada moored on Ford Island sustained a torpedo strike, three bombs hits and despite her wounds, was able to get underway. While moving down the channel toward the open sea, the enemy hit his armored warship once again, and the Ship’s Captain had to beach her to keep the channel open. The Battle of Pearl Harbor took his life on the day of the attack, and interred in the Oahu Nuuanu Cemetery, Territory of Hawaii. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Seaman requested that his remains, be buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ‘Punchbowl’, with interment February 25, 1949. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.