World War II Honoree

Harold Franklin Cornelius

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Anadarko, Oklahoma

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

Enlisted in the Navy in June 1943 at age 17. He was an Aviation Radioman Third Class. He served with the Torpedo Bombing Squadron 30 as a tail gunner flying in a Grumman TBF Avenger, a torpedo bomber, off the aircraft carrier USS Bellevue Wood in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was a U.S. Navy golden glove boxer. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. He saw action at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Okinawa and Kyushu.