World War II Honoree

Carl Harris Ellison, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Honored By

Donald Ellis

Relationship

Friend

JOINED THE NAVY IN 1944 AT THE AGE OF 17. AFTER COMPLETING BOOT CAMP AND RADIO SCHOOL AT BAINBRIDGE, MARYLAND, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE DESTROYER TENDER USS PRAIRIE AD-15 AT ULITHI ISLAND IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. ACHIEVED THE RATE OF PETTY OFFICER, RADIOMAN 3RD CLASS. THE SHIP SERVED AS THE COMSERON (COMMANDER, SERVICE SQUADRON) 10 FLAG, WHICH WAS HIS ASSIGNMENT THERE UNTIL THE END OF THE WAR. AT WAR'S END, THE SHIP STEAMED TO TOKYO BAY WHERE HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE CRUISER USS WILKES-BARRE CL-103. THE WILKES-BARRE SPENT A FEW MONTHS IN CHINA AND HE RETURNED WITH THE SHIP TO PHILADELPHIA WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS DISCHARGE IN 1946.