Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Description This ribbon was created in 1969, and was awarded retroactivly to anyone who's unit participated in combat action after December 6th, 1941. It was awarded to me, for my unit's combat action in Okinawa,... This ribbon was created in 1969, and was awarded retroactivly to anyone who's unit participated in combat action after December 6th, 1941. It was awarded to me, for my unit's combat action in Okinawa, both in the initial invasion of Okinawa, and for close combat against a Japanese Patrol that was firing on us from shore while we were engaging a Japanese aircraft that was attempting to sink a supply ship. For these two actions, my unit was also awarded two battle stars, which are indicated on my Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Ribbon. MoreHide
Other Memories
We bobbed around like a cork in a whirlpool for 2 years onboard that LCI. The Wichita was my ride back to the states from Japan, and I was ordered to report to her and stow my gear. She rode the seas nice and smooth and I remember breifly wishing I could have been on her during the war.
But even though she was much larger than my LCI-549, I was already missing my own ship. It didn't matter anyway, I would never see the 549 again, and when we arrived in California, I would never see the Wichita again either. I had had my eye on the prize ahead,...My own front door, My Wife Margarite, and my 16 month-old daughter Rita, who I had never even seen yet, other than in photos.
I was never officially assigned to the USS Wichita as a crewmember, but I did do quite a bit of work onboard her during the trip from Japan to California. The officers onboard found lots of things for us "dead-headers" to do. I just thought that adding her to my site would be a nice way to pay respect to that ship.
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Description
Awarded for service outside the United States in the American Theater for at least 30 days between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is awarded for 30 days of service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. My ship entered the Pacific Ocean, via the Panama Canal;... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is awarded for 30 days of service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. My ship entered the Pacific Ocean, via the Panama Canal; in 1943, and completed two campaigns in that Theater of operations before returning to the united states in 1946. This ribbon has two stars, indicative of the two battle stars that my unit earned in combat during Campaigns, and the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor logo (Fleet Marine Device) is also on it because the U.S. Marines were involved with us in one of the combat actions against the japanese. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description
This was awarded to my unit in the form of a "BATTLE STAR" for participation in battle during initail Invasion of Okinawa, and is indicated by the 1st of two stars shown on my APCM.
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description This was awarded to my unit in the form of a "BATTLE STAR" for for engaging a Japanese Fighter/Bomber that was attempting to sink an American Supply ship that was anchored at Okinawa, and for repellin... This was awarded to my unit in the form of a "BATTLE STAR" for for engaging a Japanese Fighter/Bomber that was attempting to sink an American Supply ship that was anchored at Okinawa, and for repelling Japanese troops who were firing on us from shore in efforts to protect the plane from our anti-aircrat guns. This battle occured several days after the Island of Okinawa had already been declared "secure" This award is indicated by the 2nd of the two stars shown on my APCM. MoreHide
Criteria
The World War II Victory Medal commemorates military service during the Second World War.
Description Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, The United States of America was suddenly and deliberatly attacked by Naval and Air Forces of the Empire of Japan. The United Staes was at... Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, The United States of America was suddenly and deliberatly attacked by Naval and Air Forces of the Empire of Japan. The United Staes was at peace with that nation, and at the solicitaion of Japan; was still in coversation with its government and its Emperor, looking toward to maintainance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, One hour AFTER Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, The Japanese Ambassador to the United States, and his coleague, delivered to our Secretary of State (Mr. Cordell Hull), a formal reply to a recent American Messege.
While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war, or of armed attack.
It was recorded, that the distance of Hawaii from Japan made it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks prior.
During the interveining time, the Japanese Government had deliberatly saught to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack that day, on the Hawaiian Islands, caused severe damage to American Naval and military forces. Regretfully, very many American lives were lost. In addition, American ships reported being torpedo'd on the high seas between San Francisco, and Honolulu.
On the same day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, The Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. That night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. That night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. That night, Japanese forces attacked the Philipine Islands. That night, The Japanese attacked Wake Island. And on the morning of December 8, 1941, The Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan had therefore undertaken a supprise offensive, extending through-out the Pacific area. The facts of the Japanese actions on the 7th, and 8th of December 1941, spoak for themselves.
Upon hearing the news of these attacks, The people of the United States had already formed their opinions, and well understood the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.
As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Immediately directed that all measured be taken for our defense, but always would our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it would take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, The President knew that the American people, in our ritious might, would win through to absolout VICTORY!
During is speach of December 8, 1941,President Roosevelt, Acurately interprated the will of Congress and of the people, when he asserted that we would not only defend ourselves to the utter-most, but would also make it very certain that that form of tretury would never again endanger us.
Hostilities now existed, and there was no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests were in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, and with the unbounding determination of our people; we would gain the inevitable triumph, so help us GOD.
During his speach in the House of Representatives on December 8, 1941, President Roosevelt asked that the Congress declare, that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of WAR had existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
The Congress obliged the President request, and the United States officially entered World War 2.
Millions of lives were lost around the world during that war, but U.S. involvement was critical in ending the evil doings of the Japanese Empire in the Pacific, and the horrible genocide and crimes against humanity commited by Adolph Hitler by his armies in Europe, where millions of Jewish were slaughtered. If we had not helped to liberate smaller nations from their more powerful occupants, Millions more murders would have been taken place, and when finished conquering Europe and Asia, the Japanese and the Germans would have almost certainly aimed their offensives on mainland of the United States.
Never, at any time During World War Two, was the U.S. mainland ever invaded or attacked. This would surely have taken place if the American people had not worked together so faithfully tirlessly for the war effors abroad, doing without certain things on the home front, so that our fighting men would not have to do without them on the battle front.
I remain grateful to the American poeple for their work at home, and grateful to The President of the United States, My President; Franklin D. Roosevelt for allowing me to take part in the preservation of the American way of life, and of the very Freedom and Democracy that we all know enjoy still today. Working together, We The American people in our ritious might, WON THROUGH TO ABSOLOUT VICTORY!
Rest in peace, Predident Roosevelt, We will never forget you. MoreHide
Criteria Occupation duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern area may be credited to organizations for duty performed on and subsequent to May 8, 1945. Terminal dates for eligibility periods and occupation ... Occupation duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern area may be credited to organizations for duty performed on and subsequent to May 8, 1945. Terminal dates for eligibility periods and occupation territories in this area are as follows: Italy: November 8, 1945 to December 15, 1947, Trieste: May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1954, Germany (exclusive of Berlin): May 9, 1945 to May 5, 1955, Berlin: May 9, 1945 to October 2, 1990, Austria: May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1955, Asiatic-Pacific Area: September 2, 1945 to April 27, 1952. Units performing service in the Korean area during the period of June 27, 1950 to April 27, 1952, inclusive, and which are eligible for the Korean Service Medal, will not be credited with eligibility for the Navy Occupation Service Medal for the same period. MoreHide
Description Awarded for 30 days of service in one of the occupied territories after World War II between May 9, 1945 and April 27, 1952 or in Berlin from May 9, 1945 to October 2, 1990. This was awarded to my uni... Awarded for 30 days of service in one of the occupied territories after World War II between May 9, 1945 and April 27, 1952 or in Berlin from May 9, 1945 to October 2, 1990. This was awarded to my unit for its participation in the occupation of Okinawa after the invasion.
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Description The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg. was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lastedThe Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg. was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945. After a long campaign of island hopping, the Allies were approaching Japan, and planned to use Okinawa, a large island only 340 mi (550 km) away from mainland Japan, as a base for air operations on the planned invasion of Japanese mainland (coded Operation Downfall). Four divisions of the U.S. 10th Army (the 7th, 27th, 77th, and 96th) and two Marine Divisions (the 1st and 6th) fought on the island. Their invasion was supported by naval, amphibious, and tactical air forces.
The battle has been referred to as the "typhoon of steel" in English, and tetsu no ame ("rain of steel") or ("violent wind of steel") in Japanese. The nicknames refer to the ferocity of the fighting, the intensity of kamikaze attacks from the Japanese defenders, and to the sheer numbers of Allied ships and armored vehicles that assaulted the island. The battle resulted in the highest number of casualties in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Based on Okinawan government sources, mainland Japan lost 77,166 soldiers, who were either killed or committed suicide, and the Allies suffered 14,009 deaths (with an estimated total of more than 65,000 casualties of all kinds). Simultaneously, 42,000–150,000 local civilians were killed or committed suicide, a significant proportion of the local population. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki together with the Soviet invasion of Manchuria caused Japan to surrender less than two months after the end of the fighting on Okinawa.... More
Description The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg. was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lastedThe Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg. was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945. After a long campaign of island hopping, the Allies were approaching Japan, and planned to use Okinawa, a large island only 340 mi (550 km) away from mainland Japan, as a base for air operations on the planned invasion of Japanese mainland (coded Operation Downfall). Four divisions of the U.S. 10th Army (the 7th, 27th, 77th, and 96th) and two Marine Divisions (the 1st and 6th) fought on the island. Their invasion was supported by naval, amphibious, and tactical air forces.
The battle has been referred to as the "typhoon of steel" in English, and tetsu no ame ("rain of steel") or ("violent wind of steel") in Japanese. The nicknames refer to the ferocity of the fighting, the intensity of kamikaze attacks from the Japanese defenders, and to the sheer numbers of Allied ships and armored vehicles that assaulted the island. The battle resulted in the highest number of casualties in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Based on Okinawan government sources, mainland Japan lost 77,166 soldiers, who were either killed or committed suicide, and the Allies suffered 14,009 deaths (with an estimated total of more than 65,000 casualties of all kinds). Simultaneously, 42,000–150,000 local civilians were killed or committed suicide, a significant proportion of the local population. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki together with the Soviet invasion of Manchuria caused Japan to surrender less than two months after the end of the fighting on Okinawa.... More
Description The surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced by Imperial Japan on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945The surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced by Imperial Japan on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting major operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent. Together with the United Kingdom and China, the United States called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945—the alternative being "prompt and utter destruction". While publicly stating their intent to fight on to the bitter end, Japan's leaders (the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, also known as the "Big Six") were privately making entreaties to the still-neutral Soviet Union to mediate peace on terms more favorable to the Japanese. Meanwhile, the Soviets were preparing to attack Japanese forces in Manchuria and Korea (in addition to southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands) in fulfillment of promises they had secretly made to the United States and the United Kingdom at the Tehran and Yalta Conferences.
Best Friends
Leon Lusk, Ray Whitlock, Bob Guerier.
Best Moment
Going Home.
Worst Moment
Smoke Machine caught fire whle I was operating it.
Chain of Command
Skippers a young man named George Saunders. All I know as that I was a Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class and I did my job and kept my mouth shut.
Other Memories
Typhoon hit us while in port of Sasabo. Broke our moorings twice until the skipper put us against a wall and left her engines running with the props set at about a 10 degree pitch and that held us there till it was over. Many ships were damaged and a two or three even foundered in the bay during that storm.
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Comments I followed orders, and performed my duties proudly, and to the best of my ability, as did every member of our ship's crew. To my knowledge, every enlisted man aboard LCI(L)-549 recieved this award at ... I followed orders, and performed my duties proudly, and to the best of my ability, as did every member of our ship's crew. To my knowledge, every enlisted man aboard LCI(L)-549 recieved this award at some point during their service. MoreHide
Description The Battle of Morotai, part of the Pacific War, began on 15 September 1944, and continued until the end of the war in August 1945. The fighting started when United States and Australian forces landed The Battle of Morotai, part of the Pacific War, began on 15 September 1944, and continued until the end of the war in August 1945. The fighting started when United States and Australian forces landed on the southwest corner of Morotai, a small island in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), which the Allies needed as a base to support the liberation of the Philippines later that year. The invading forces greatly outnumbered the island's Japanese defenders and secured their objectives in two weeks. Japanese reinforcements landed on the island between September and November, but lacked the supplies needed to effectively attack the Allied defensive perimeter. Intermittent fighting continued until the end of the war, with the Japanese troops suffering heavy loss of life from disease and starvation.
Morotai's development into an Allied base began shortly after the landing, and two major airfields were ready for use in October. These and other base facilities played an important role in the liberation of the Philippines during 1944 and 1945. Torpedo boats and aircraft based at Morotai also harassed Japanese positions in the NEI. The island's base facilities were further expanded in 1945 to support the Australian-led Borneo Campaign, and Morotai remained an important logistical hub and command center until the Dutch reestablished their colonial rule in the NEI. ... More
Description In the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, from November 1943 through February 1944, were key strategic operations of the United States Pacific Fleet and MarineIn the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, from November 1943 through February 1944, were key strategic operations of the United States Pacific Fleet and Marine Corps in the Central Pacific. The purpose was to establish airfields that would allow land based air support for the upcoming operations across the Central Pacific. The campaign began with a costly three-day battle for the island of Betio at the Tarawa atoll. The campaign was preceded a year earlier by a diversionary raid on Makin Island by U.S. Marines in August, 1942.
About 4,000 kilometers southwest of the Hawaii Islands, the Marshall Islands represented part of the perimeter of the Japanese Pacific empire. The former German colony was given to Japan after the closure of WW1, and had since been an important part of both offensive and defensive plans of the Japanese Navy. By the end of 1943, Admiral Mineichi Koga of the Japanese Combined Fleet knew the Americans were eyeing the islands, but he could not figure out where they would strike. His difficulties were further complicated by the lack of carrier aircraft, as they were taken away from him in an attempt to reinforce land-based squadrons. With his hands tied, all Koga could do was to send his submarines out as forward observers and order the regional commander in Truk Admiral Masashi Kobayashi to reinforce the island garrisons that were most exposed to American attacks. Kobayashi shifted men to the outer islands of Jaluit, Mili, Wotje, and Maloelap. In total, Kobayashi had 28,000 troops available to him in the Marshall Islands. For a garrison that size ground fortifications were sub-par, but that was rather by design at this stage of the war, for that Tokyo had since decided that the Marshall Islands were to serve only as a part of a delay action campaign. The new defensive perimeter was to be established much closer to the home islands.
American intelligence decoded Japanese messages and detected movements for the outer islands, and decided to change the invasion plans. Unbeknownst to the Japanese, the Americans were now bypassing the reinforced outer islands; they were now directly attacking Kwajalein and Eniwetok.... More
We bobbed around like a cork in a whirlpool for 2 years onboard that LCI. The Wichita was my ride back to the states from Japan, and I was ordered to report to her and stow my gear. She rode the seas nice and smooth and I remember breifly wishing I could have been on her during the war.
But even though she was much larger than my LCI-549, I was already missing my own ship. It didn't matter anyway, I would never see the 549 again, and when we arrived in California, I would never see the Wichita again either. I had had my eye on the prize ahead,...My own front door, My Wife Margarite, and my 16 month-old daughter Rita, who I had never even seen yet, other than in photos.
I was never officially assigned to the USS Wichita as a crewmember, but I did do quite a bit of work onboard her during the trip from Japan to California. The officers onboard found lots of things for us "dead-headers" to do. I just thought that adding her to my site would be a nice way to pay respect to that ship.