World War II Honoree

William Edwin Beloit

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

South Gate, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Aviation Metalsmith Third Class. Inducted into the United States Navy November 13, 1942 with induction at Los Angeles, California, completing recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp and Aviation Metalsmith Training, he was transferred to the USS Franklin III Aircraft Carrier, CV-13 for duty in maintaining, and repairing airplanes. Friday, February 16, 1945 the Carrier and her shipmates, along with an armada of U.S. Warships, rendezvous’ offshore of Iwo Jima in support of the impending invasion and occupation (Battle Dates: February 19-March 26, 1945). Monday, March 19, 1945 the Seagoing Airbase came under attack by an Imperial Japanese Bomber, and she was hit with two 500-pound, semi-armor piercing bombs. The attack inflicted a tremendous amount of damage, and the crew began the long battle to save their ship and shipmates. Reported missing in action or buried at sea succeeding the attack. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Honolulu Memorial Location: Honolulu, Hawaii. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.