Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Canton, Illinois
Honored By
Mrs. Rebile Phillips
Relationship
Mother
JOINED THE NAVY IN SEPTEMBER 1942. WAS A CHIEF PETTY OFFICER AND SERVED ON THE PC-1123, A MINE SWEEPER. WAS SENT TO BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA AND WORKED IN A SHIPYARD, REPAIRED DAMAGED SHIPS. CAME BACK TO THE U.S. IN JANUARY 1945 AND WORKED IN THE QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS SHIPYARDS. WHILE THERE, WENT TO DEEP SEA DIVING SCHOOL TO WELD UNDERWATER AT THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD. WORKED ON THE USS COLUMBUS AND WENT ON ITS SHAKEDOWN CRUISE TO CUBA. WAS ON IT GOING THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL WHEN HE WAS DISCHARGED AND SENT HOME, ARRIVED ON DECEMBER 26, 1945. FOUND OUT LATER THAT HE AND HIS BROTHER WERE BOTH AT THE LANDING OF NEW BRITAIN, ABOUT 3 MILES APART, BUT DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL THEY BOTH GOT HOME.