World War II Honoree

Harold William Winfield

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Boone, Iowa

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Seaman First Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy March 27, 1940, at Des Moines, Iowa with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and with additional training; he was transferred to the USS New Orleans II Cruiser (CA-32) for duty. November 27, 1942, the USS New Orleans with her Shipmate’s, along with an Armada of U. S. Warships arrived off the coastal shores of Espiritu Santo, Solomon’s Islands. These Combatant Ships participated in the “Battle of Tassafaronga” against an Imperial Japanese Naval Fleet. November 30, 1942, during a night-time engagement, the USS New Orleans ran into the track of a torpedo’s fired from an enemy destroyer. The torpedo’s ripped off her bow, due to individual acts of heroism and self-sacrifice, along with skillful seamanship kept her afloat. The USS New Orleans under her own power entered Tulagi Harbor, December 1, 1944, for repairs. 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 Philippine Islands. In his Memory, this American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.