World War II Honoree

Allen C. Heyn

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Battle Creek, Michigan

Honored By

Ms. Ann Marie Gerringer

One of 10 who survived the sinking of USS Juneau by Japanese in the South Pacific November 1942. He spent 9 days and nights enduring blistering hot sun, freezing cold nights, stormy rough weather, with no food or water on a raft. Had to watch his crew mates die, mostly from sharks, before he was rescued late in the afternoon of the 9th day. He was barely alive and spent 9 months in the hospital. He then served on a submarine; sinking some 5 ships and damaging 4 others.