World War II Honoree

Alvin Helge

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Austin, Texas

Honored By

Dr. Kate Hendricks

Relationship

Friend from church

SERVED IN THE U.S. NAVY FROM 9/12/41 TO 3/1/74. DURING WWII HE MADE 23 SHOOTING ENGAGEMENTS AND WAS IN THE INVASION OF TARAWA WHERE HE SUSTAINED A BULLET WOUND TO HIS FOOT ON THANKSGIVING 1943. HE WAS LATER PART OF A XXX IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC THAT, DUE TO A RADIO BLACKOUT, UNEXPECTEDLY ENCOUNTERED A TYPHOON ON 12/14/44. THREE DESTROYERS WITH 790 MEN WERE LOST. THE USS HULL DD-350, ON WHICH HE SERVED ALSO WENT DOWN; ONLY 56 OF THE 315 MEN ABOARD SURVIVED. DURING HIS 3 DAYS AT SEA, HE ATE THE FISH WHO CAME UP TO NIBBLE ON HIM. HE LATER SERVED ON THE USS HAWKINS DD-873 AS WELL AS ON THE USS CORAL SEA AND THE USS PORTLAND.