World War II Honoree

Thornton Ross Alexander

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Denver, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Fireman First Class. Inducted into the United States Navy at Denver Colorado, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp and Fireman Training, he was transferred to the USS Spence Destroyer, DD-512 for duty as a Fireman. The Destroyer and her shipmates on November 20, 1944 rendezvous with a fast carrier striking forces in the Philippine Sea for the impending invasion of the Philippine Islands. Reported missing in action or buried at sea December 18, 1944 when his warship capsized; sinking off-shore of Luzon Island, during Typhoon Cobra AKA: Typhoon of 1944. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. In his Memory and Honor, a cenotaph memorial has been placed at Arlington National Cemetery Location: Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.