World War II Honoree

Herb Elfring

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Jackson, Michigan

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ASSIGNED TO THE 251ST COAST ARTILLERY REGIMENT (ANTIAIRCRAFT), CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD, AND WAS STATIONED AT CAMP MALAKOLE, HAWAII WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU, ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. HE WAS STANDING AT THE EDGE OF HIS BARRACKS, LOCATED A FEW MILES DOWN THE COAST FROM PEARL HARBOR, READING THE BULLETIN BOARD WHEN JAPANESE AIRCRAFT FLEW OVER. HE INITIALLY PAID NO ATTENTION TO THE PLANES UNTIL THEY BEGAN STRAFING THE CAMP. HE IS A PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR. THE ATTACK KILLED SOME 2,403 PEOPLE, AND WOUNDED 1,104 OTHERS. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR. PARTICIPATED IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC CAMPAIGN. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH 'FOREIGN SERVICE' CLASP, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.