World War II Honoree

Francis John Galletti

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Old Forge, Pennsylvania

Honored By

William Fischer, Jr.

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON 8 JUNE 1943 AT CLARKS SUMMIT, PENNSYLVANIA. SEA SERVICE FROM 11 AUGUST 1943 TO 27 NOVEMBER 1945 ABOARD THE USS ELLYSON (DD-454), WHICH SAILED IN THE SCOUTING LINE IN ADVANCE OF THE USS IOWA CARRYING PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TO THE TEHERAN CONFERENCE IN LATE 1943. SAILING INTO THE MEDITERRANEAN IN APRIL 1944 FOR HUNTER-KILLER OPERATIONS, THE SHIP SANK U-616 ON 17 MAY, THEN RESCUED IT'S SURVIVORS. MOVING SOON AFTER TO ENGLAND, THE SHIP PROVIDED FIRE SUPPORT FOR RANGERS LANDING AT POINTE DU HOC ON D-DAY, THEN CONTINUED OPERATIONS OFF NORTHWEST FRANCE UNTIL OCTOBER 1944, WHEN IT SAILED TO BOSTON FOR CONVERSION TO A MINESWEEPER, RE-DESIGNATED AS DMS-19. AFTER TRAINING, THE SHIP DEPARTED NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, IN EARLY JANUARY 1945 AND ARRIVED OFF OKINAWA IN MARCH TO SUPPORT LANDING OPERATIONS, THEN CONDUCTED RADAR PICKET DUTY WHILE FENDING OFF KAMIKAZE ATTACKS. WITH JAPAN'S SURRENDER, THE SHIP SAILED TO CLEAR TOKYO HARBOR FOR OCCUPATION FORCES, THEN RETURNED TO OKINAWA FOR MORE MINECLEARING OPERATIONS. SEPARATED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE ON 8 DECEMBER 1945 AT USN SEPARATION CENTER, BAINBRIDGE, MARYLAND.