World War II Honoree

Salvatore Balestrieri

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Buffalo, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Ensign. He was inducted into the United States Navy May 25, 1938, at Buffalo, New York with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Norfolk, Virginia. During his induction, he was selected to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School at Norfolk. As a graduate from the United States Naval Academy Annapolis, Maryland he accepted his commission, with the rank of Ensign in June of 1943. He served aboard the USS Herring Submarine (SS-233). 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.