World War II Honoree

Neil O. Elder

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Weslaco, Texas

Honored By

Mrs. Neil Elder

Relationship

Wife

SERVED ON THE USS PORTLAND CA-33. FLEW IN A SOC SEAPLANE (SCOUT OBSERVATION PLANE), WHICH WAS CATAPULTED. AT SEA, LANDED IN THE WATER ALONGSIDE THE SHIP, TAXIED UP TO AND HOOKED ONTO A SLED; THE PLANE WAS LIFTED BY A BOOM ONTO THE CATAPULT. ALL OF THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED WHILE THE USS PORTLAND WAS UNDERWAY SINCE STOPPING MADE HER A SITTING DUCK FOR JAPANESE SUBMARINES.