Joe was from Wichita Falls, Texas and enlisted in the U.S.
Coast Guard in 1942 at the age of 17. He says that some of his buddies had
enlisted into the Coast Guard so he decided to follow them.
After basic training, Joe was assigned to the U.S.S.
Cavalier (A.P.A.-37) which was a Bayfield class attack transport.
The Cavalier participated in several battles in the Pacific.
Some of these were the invasion of Saipan and Tinian.
In September, 1944 the Cavalier was also involved in the
retaking of the Philippine Islands where she successfully off loaded troops and
equipment in Leyte Gulf.
After training in New Guinea in January, 1945 the Cavalier
sailed back to the Philippines where she participated in the invasion at Lingayen
Gulf. On January 30, 1945 while off Manila Bay, the Japanese submarine RO-115
fired a torpedo and hit the Cavalier on the port side. The result was that 50
sailors on the ship were injured, and the damaged ship was towed to Leyte Gulf
for repairs.
Joe was honorably discharged on February 11, 1946 with the
rank of Fire Fighter MM 3rd class. He received the Purple Heart and
Good Conduct medal. The Asiatic-Pacific Area ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars,
Philippine Liberation with 2 Bronze Stars and the Honor-Respect-Devotion to duty
medal. He received as well the American Campaign and the European, African and
Middle Eastern Campaign medals.
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