World War II Honoree

Offa Lee Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

New Castle, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Water Tender First Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy March 11, 1938, at Dallas, Texas with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and along with any additional training; he was transferred to the USS Porter III Destroyer (DD-356) for duty. Monday, October 26, 1942; the USS Porter and her Shipmate’s participated in the “Battle-of-Santa Cruz” against the Imperial Japanese Naval Forces off the coastal shores of Guadalcanal Islands Location: Southwestern Pacific Theater of Operations. During this Battle, the Destroyer was sunk, after being torpedoed by an Imperial Japanese Submarine. He was reported “Missing-in-Action” or Buried at Sea along with his gallant crew members, gone without a trace and will “Remain on Eternal Patrol”. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. In his Memory and Honor, a cenotaph memorial has been placed at the Geary Cemetery, located at Geary, Oklahoma. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.