William H. Homola
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Marines
William H. Homola entered the Marine Corps in 1943.
He was a gunner in security with the Marine Detachment on the USS Republicin the Pacific Theater. The Republic was converted to troop transport from a confiscated German vessel during World War I.
William relates, "Top speed 11 knots. We traveled alone most of the time as USS Republic was too slow for most convoys. Our largest guns were 40 m.m. Our only function was to transport troops to the South Pacific in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, and etc. The ship was decommissioned in 1945, and rebuilt as hospital ship."
Mr. Homola was honorably discharged November, 1945.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 118.
