World War II Honoree

Sanford Earl Moon

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tyler, Minnesota

Honored By

Matt Minnichsoffer

Relationship

Grandson

LANDED IN NORTH AFRICA IN 1942. SAW ACTION IN TUNISIA. REMEMBERS THE GERMANS SPINNING CIRCLES WITH TANKS OVER FOXHOLES TRYING TO CRUSH THEM. HIS FOXHOLE RECEIVED MORTAR FIRE, CAUSING HIM TO FLY OUT OF THE FOXHOLE AND LAND FACE-FIRST INTO A TREE, KNOCKING OUT ALL HIS TEETH. THIS SHELLING ALSO CAUSED HIM TO LOSE MOST OF HIS HEARING. AFTER THIS, HE WAS TRANSFERRED AND BECAME A TRUCKER; HAULED EVERYTHING FROM EQUIPMENT TO THE FRONT TO THE DEAD BACK FROM THE FRONT. ALSO, BUILT THE BRIDGE FROM SICILY TO ITALY; REMEMBERS THE GERMANS STRAFING THE BRIDGE AND HAVING TO BUILD IT THREE TIMES. SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR ON THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN. CAME HOME ON THE USS LANGLEY. THIS AIRCRAFT CARRIER GOT CAUGHT IN A HURRICANE, LOST ITS RUDDER AND COMMUNICATION TOWER; WAS THOUGHT TO BE LOST AT SEA, BUT STEAMED INTO NEW YORK TO EVERYONE’S AMAZEMENT.