Lawrence William Lendacky
Era: Korea
Military Branch: Navy
Photo: Mr. Lendacky in Hawaii, September 1998, 50th Anniversary of the USS Missouri
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Lawrence William Lendacky served in the Korean War.
He served in the U.S. Navy beginning in April 22, 1952. He went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center for boot camp. He was sent to Norfolk, Virginia, where he boarded the USS Missouri (BB-63). The Missouri headed for Korea, and the crew fired on the shores of Korea. They shot down an American helicopter and crew in an incident of friendly fire. Nine months later, Mr. Lendacky returned to the Naval base at Green Cove Springs, Florida. He was stationed there for three years. Mr. Lendacky served his final six months of duty in Key West, Florida.
He was discharged on April 9, 1956.
His rank was Seaman 1st Class.
Mr. Lendacky was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, in 1931. He is the son of Jacob and Mary Lendacky. He graduated from high school.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
“I enlisted into service April 20,1952. Was sent to Great Lakes, Illinois, for boot camp. At Camp Moffett for three months.
“When I was done with my boot camp, came home for two weeks’ leave. Then my orders were to go to Norfolk, Virginia, and board the USS Missouri (BB-63) and leave for Korea. I was there for nine months. During my time there we bombarded the shores of Korea, and they shot down our own helicopter by mistake.
“Then our captain Edsell died aboard ship just before Christmas, December 20th, 1952.
“When we left Korea and got back to the States, I was at Green Cove Springs, Florida, for three years.
“I had six months to go and they sent me to Key West, Florida, and was discharged from there April 9, 1956.”
