World War II Honoree

Anthony Ancona

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

San Diego, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Seaman First Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy August 17, 1942 at San Diego, California, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. After his graduation from boot camp, along with any additional training; he was transferred to the USS St Lo Aircraft Carrier, CVE-63 for duty. On Wednesday, October 25, 1944 the St. Lo became the first major warship to sink as the result of a kamikaze attack, off-shore of Leyte Island, Philippines in the Battle-of-Samar. He was reported missing in action, lost as sea when his Carrier went down. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. In his Memory and Honor, this American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.