World War II Honoree

Harold J. Ellison

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Buffalo, New York

Honored By

Keith Irving

Relationship

Son of his friend Esther Irving

Harry was assigned to the USS Hornet as a pilot with Torpedo Squadron 8. He was killed in action during the Battle of Midway on June 5, 1942 along with all but one of the members of his squadron while delivering their torpedoes in the face of withering anti-aircraft fire during their attack against the Japanese carrier group. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism, posthumously, and is entitled to the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon and facsimile of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to Torpedo Squadron 8 "For extremely heroic and courageous performance". The destroyer DD 864 was named in his honor in 1949, the USS HAROLD J. ELLISON.