On the road

On the road

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Profiles Spring-Summer 2013 Honar Flight DFW


 

Richard enlisted in the U.S.Navy at Du Bois Pennsylvania in October of 1942. He was 17 years of age.

After basic training, Richard was assigned to the Fletcher class destroyer U.S.S. Converse. It was a new ship, coming out of the shipyards in August 1942.

His job on the destroyer was that of being a coxswain of the boat. He also had the chance to be a gunner on one of the destroyer’s many on-board cannons or anti-aircraft guns.

The Converse participated in many campaigns in the Pacific. These included the Solomon Island campaign including the island of Guadalcanal from May 1943 to March 1944.

The destroyer was then assigned screening duties in the Central Pacific from March-August 1944. Several months later the ship saw action in the Philippines Islands and the island of Okinawa from November 1944 to August 1945. The Converse receives 11 battle stars total. The ship was later sold to Spain, and was scrapped in 1959.

Richard was awarded 7campaign stars, the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct medal.

He was discharged from the Navy on January 6, 1946 with the rank of 2nd Class Boatswain.

 

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