On the road

On the road

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Honor Flight DFW trip #10


On that Sunday, December 7, 1941, Henry was in church in Cleburne Texas. The news of the attack on Pearl Harbor was broadcast to the American people starting around noon on that Sunday. No doubt Henry walked out of church and immediately got the news of the surprise attack.

Henry was inducted into the U.S.Navy on September 12, 1944 at the age of 18.

His job aboard ship was that of a Motor Machinist. He was assigned to the USS Scania AKA 40. Part of his job was that of transporting troops to various islands in the Pacific to replace those who had been lost or wounded in battle. Another task was that of transporting Japanese POW’s from combat zones into captivity.

His most memorable war experience was his participation in the Wake Island campaign. The ship was tasked with transporting troops to and from this strategic island in the South Pacific.

Henry’s war experience had a profound impact on him. He says that it caused him to “grow up,” and appreciate his family and the United States more.

His awards include the WWII Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

He was discharged with the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer on July 2, 1946.  

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