World War II Honoree

Joseph F. Novotny

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hector, Minnesota

Honored By

Mr. Ronnie Novotny

Relationship

Son

WAS IN MAINTENANCE ON A CARGO SHIP. WAS AN ARMED GUARD ON THE MERCHANT SHIP, SS ROBERT J. WALKER, WHEN IT WAS TORPEDOED ON 12-24-1944; THE SHIP WAS 150 MILES OFF THE AUSTRALIAN COAST WHEN IT WAS SUNK. THE FIRST TORPEDO STRUCK THE PROPELLER AND THE SECOND ONE WAS SHOT BY THEIR GUNMAN AND EXPLODED BEFORE IT STRUCK THE SHIP, THE THIRD ONE HIT THE CENTER OF THE SHIP MAKING AN OPENING LARGE ENOUGH FOR A CAR TO DRIVE THROUGH. THEY WERE IN LIFEBOATS FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE THEY WERE SPOTTED BY AN AIRPLANE AFTER WHICH THEY WERE PICKED UP BY A BRITISH DESTROYER. OUT OF 80 MEN THAT WERE ON THE SHIP, ONLY 2 WERE KILLED.