World War II Honoree

Ned P. Cantrell

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Charles E. Overstreet

Relationship

Friend

SERVED FROM APRIL 1944 TO OCTOBER 1946. CHIEF RADIO OPERATOR ON BOARD THE SS UNITED VICTORY ON 2 VOYAGES FROM PORT CHICAGO IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY TO OKINAWA TO RE-SUPPLY THE INVASION FORCE. THE FIRST VOYAGE ARRIVED ON D-DAY +10 ON APRIL 11, WITH A CARGO OF AMMUNITION, BOMBS AND REPLACEMENT TROOPS. THE U.S. NAVY ARMED GUARD CREW ABOARD WAS CREDITED WITH SHOOTING DOWN 3 KAMIKAZE PLANES DURING A NIGHT RAID WHILE THE UNITED VICTORY WAS STILL IN PORT. HOLDS THE MERCHANT MARINE COMBAT BAR WITH STARS. BY CONGRESSIONAL ACTION IN 1988, GRANTED VETERAN STATUS BY AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM THE COAST GUARD, AS A SEAMAN, EFFECTIVE ON AUGUST 15, 1945.