World War II Honoree

John Leonard Anderson, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Louisville, Kentucky

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy September 17, 1942, at Louisville, Kentucky 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 Herring Submarine (SS-233) for duty. The USS Herring with her Shipmate’s were assigned duty with the Submarine Forces and located in the Pacific Theater of Operations. May 16, 1944, the USS Herring departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on her Eighth War Patrol, topping off with fuel and other provisions at Midway, Island. The USS Herring set sail to the Kurile Islands and located in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations. June 1, 1944, the Ship’s Captain dropped anchor, off the coastal shores of Matsuwa Island. Imperial Japanese coastal shore Artillery Batteries scored two hits on the Sub’s Conning Tower, and she went down into the deep waters. 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 Honolulu Memorial location: Honolulu, Hawaii. In his Memory, this American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.