World War II Honoree

Frank W. Zimmerman, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Central Islip, New York

Honored By

Michael McTiernan

On May 18, 1944, he was inducted into the U.S. navy and began his basic training. As Seaman, he served aboard the Battle Cruiser Guam during the six months of combat from Okinawa to the fringe of the Japan's Island Sea. He made his battle debut during the two-day air strike against the Ryukyus, where the cruisers guns were credited with shooting down two enemy suicide planes as they attempted dives on a nearby Aircraft Carrier. The twelve-inch guns of the Guam fired hundreds of tons of shells onto the two islands. For 61 days they cruised off the Japanese shores. On May 18, 1946, he was honorably discharged.