World War II Honoree

Kenneth Ray Pearce, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Kenneth R. Pearce, Sr.

Relationship

Self

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON MARCH 24, 1945 AT EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS. AFTER BASIC TRAINING AT GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, DEPARTED FROM CAMP SHOEMAKER BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS FOR 2 YEARS. SERVED IN DAY AND NIGHT RECONNAISSANCE OPERATIONS SEARCHING FOR JAPANESE HOLDOUTS AND COMMUNIST INSURGENTS AFTER THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WHILE ASSIGNED TO SHIP REPAIR BASE 3864 ON MANICANI ISLAND, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. THEREAFTER, JOINED THE CREW OF THE USS IOWA BB-61 AS A SHIP’S COOK AND IN THAT CAPACITY PARTICIPATED IN THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN AND U.S. NUCLEAR TESTING OPERATIONS IN THE PACIFIC. EARNED THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE REGULAR NAVY AS A SEAMAN FIRST CLASS ON JANUARY 12, 1948 AT BREMERTON, WASHINGTON.