World War II Honoree

Stanley James Wrona

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hegewisch, Illinois

Honored By

Stanley Wrona Jr. (Son)

Relationship

Son

He joined the war effort at 17 years old and served as a gunner aboard Liberty ships. He saw campaigns in the Asiatic Pacific theatre, (4 Stars) and Philippine Liberation (1 Star). Witnessed a Kamikaze attack that damaged his ship, SS Walter Colton, off of Okinawa. In 1943 he was initiated into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep" and became a "Shellback". He was very proud of that title. Liberty ships he served on; SS Emile Berliner, SS Henry Failing, SS Sam Jackson, SS Edward G Acheson & SS Walter Colton. He followed in the footsteps of his older brother who retired after a distinguished Navy career.