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Elmo Merle Knight

BRANCH OF SERVICE
U.S. Navy

HOMETOWN
Orleans, IN

HONORED BY
Grateful American
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
ENTERED SERVICE ON 23 OCTOBER 1942 AT INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. REPORTED ABOARD THE USS EATON DD-510 'THE FIGHTIN FIVE AND DIME', A FLETCHER CLASS DESTROYER. DEPARTED FROM CASCO BAY, MAINE 6 FEBRUARY 1943 FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER ARRIVED AT EFATE, NEW HEBRIDES ON 7 MARCH 1943 ASSIGNED ESCORT DUTIES. FIRE SUPPORT FOR INVASION OF SAIPAN AND TINIAN CAPTURE THREE JAPANESE AVIATORS FROM A RAFT. COVER FORCE FOR THE LEYTE OPERATION. 25 NOVEMBER 1944 SUNK A ENEMY FREIGHTER. JANUARY 1945 ON SCREEN DUTY OFF LINGAYEN GULF, LEYTE DESTROYED A SUICIDE BOAT. THE EXPLOSION KILLED 1 AND WOUNDED 14 CREWMEMBERS. WAR TOTAL OF EIGHT AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN. EARNED 11 BATTLE STARS FOR WWII SERVICE. DISCHARGED FEBRUARY 1946. RATING OF METALSMITH SECOND CLASS PETTY OFFICER.