George J. Paquette
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
George J. Paquette enlisted in the Navy Reserve on Oct. 3, 1938. He entered active service on Nov. 4, 1940.
He was a Gunner's Mate 1st Class aboard the USS Paducah and left to enter service with the Navy Armed Guard aboard merchant vessels.
He said:"The first ship I served on as a member of the Armed Guard was the SS Del Plata, which was torpedoed and sunk in the Caribbean. My next assignment was in the North African invasion. Other assignments led to the Pacific Theater, where I took part in many of the invasions. From the Armed Guard I was assigned to the USS Sitka (APA 113) and completed Naval service on this ship in October 1945."
He received the: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal, American Campaign Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal.
He was discharged on Oct. 25, 1945.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 237.
