World War II Honoree

Earl J. Harden, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Dunbar Township, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Bill Harden

Relationship

Brother

Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Earl Harden, Jr. entered the U.S. Naval Reserve on July 24, 1942. While serving aboard the Landing Craft Support 7 on Feb. 16, 1945 off Mariveles, Luzon, Philippines in the Corregidor Channel, the ship was hit by a Japanese suicide boat and sunk. At that time he was leading the crew of an automatic gun. The explosion likely threw him into the water. He was picked up later that day by a Hospital ship, and subsequently died. In a letter his father received from two officers that described the above events they also stated that his good nature earned him the nickname "Laffey", adding his skill and spirit contributed to the gun crew being one of the best. He is buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Fort McKinley in the Philippines.