World War II Honoree

Theodore Grant Garretson, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Honored By

Hugh F. Garretson

Relationship

Son

Enlisted at the age of 34 - 'Pops' served on USS Gladwyne, as a plank owner, performing trans-Atlantic convoy escorts between the U.S., Europe and Africa during 1943-1945. In 1945, he deployed with this ship through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor. With the crew of the USS Gladwyne, he then performed Pacific convoy escort and communications relay duties as the fleet moved on towards Japan in preparation for the invasion. After V-J Day and completion of his commended service he returned to his duties as a Police Sergeant for the New York/New Jersey Port Authority in December 1945. He died on September 10, 1983. Semper Paratus!