World War II Honoree

Francis C. Earley

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Walpole, Massachusetts

Honored By

Ms. Rose S. Earley

Relationship

Wife

ATTENDED BOOT CAMP AND RADIO SCHOOL AT NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND AND ADVANCED RADIO SCHOOL AT CAMP BRADFORD, VIRGINIA. ASSIGNED AS RADIOMAN TO THE USS LANDING SHIP, TANK 923 AS ORIGINAL CREW IN HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS IN JULY 1944. DUTIES INCLUDED; SENDING AND RECEIVING MESSAGES VIA MORSE CODE AND OPERATION OF VOICE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE. INITIALLY THE BATTLE STATION WAS POINTER ON THE STERN TWIN 40-MM ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN AND SUBSEQUENTLY ON A 50-CALIBER MACHINE GUN LOCATED MID-SHIP NEAR THE VOICE RADIO SHACK ABOVE THE WHEEL HOUSE. PARTICIPATED IN TWO MAJOR INVASIONS AT LINGAYEN GULF IN THE PHILIPPINES ON JANUARY 9, 1945 AND ON OKINAWA ON APRIL 2, 1945. NEVER SUSTAINED ANY CASUALTIES OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE. OUR SHIP WAS CREDITED WITH DOWNING TWO ENEMY AIRCRAFT. SUPPORTED THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN AND RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES IN APRIL 1946. HE WAS AWARDED TWO BATTLE STARS.