Raymond Wesley Minko
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Raymond Wesley Minko served in World War II in the Pacific Theater.
He served in the U.S. Navy from June 6, 1943, until September 1946. He was assigned to the USS Sproston (DD-577). He was decorated with five Battle Stars. His rank was Torpedomans Mate 3rd Class.
Mr. Minko was born in 1926 to Ed and Hazel Minko in Balgonia, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall History Form; veteran’s account (see below); account from undated interview by Kayleen Young, a student at Ordean Middle School (see below)
Veteran's account: "I have lots of stories abut the different battles and places—I am willing to be interviewed. I do not have anything in writing or print." There were 36 destroyers in Ray’s division, and only 7 returned. From undated interview: "Ray served in the Pacific Ocean on a destroyer from 1943-1946. The destroyer was 350 feet long and 40 feet wide and traveled at about 25 knots full speed. At one point their vessel had to circle a battleship to 'fight the torpedoes away' because the President was aboard the battleship. Ray experienced everything from a hurricane and 100 degree Fahrenheit temperatures to vacating the area as the atomic bomb was dropped, but said, 'I felt that the Navy was special. I would recommend anyone to go into service.'”
