World War II Honoree

John A. O'Toole

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Dorchester, Massachusetts

Honored By

Ruth H. Wickers

Relationship

Wife

COMMANDED THE THIRD WAVE DURING SUCCESSFUL ASSAULT ON FEDALA BEACH, MOROCCO DURING THE INVASION OF NORTH AFRICA ON NOVEMBER 8, 1942. KILLED WHILE WITHDRAWING HIS BOAT FROM THE BEACH. POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS FOR HEROIC LEADERSHIP AND RELENTLESS FIGHTING SPIRIT AND RECOMMENDED FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR. ALSO AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. A DESTROYER ESCORT WAS CHRISTENED ON JANUARY 22, 1944 IN HIS HONOR AT THE U.S. NAVY YARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.