Top - Bernard E. Thompson
18 years old at Great Lake Naval Training Chicago – 4/25/1944 - 7/6/1947
Bernard passed away July 10, 2020
Bernard E. Thompson
4/19/1926 - 7/10/2020
Member of Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmen Association Inc
Served on USS Fanshaw Bay CVE 70 Signalman 3, USNR
Entered into active service 4/25/1944
Honorable discharge 7/6/1947
School: Signalman School Great Lakes IL
Service: NRS Toledo OH
Ohio USNTC Great Lakes IL
Service School Command Great Lakes IL
California - USS Fanshaw Bay CVE 70 and USS Puget Sound CVE 113
Ribbons - Asiatic Pacific, WWII Victory Medal, American Area, Bronze Star to Asiatic Pacific
Flagship of Adm. C.A.F. "Ziggy" Sprague and composite squadrons VOC-2, VC-66, VC-68, and VC-10, led the victorious battle over vastly superior firepower of UN Kurita's powerful Center Force of battleships and cruisers. The Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippines, occurred 25 October 1944 and was the largest battle in naval history. The FANSHAW BAY earned five Battle Stars, two U.S. Presidential Unit Citations, a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and the enduring esteem of the U.S. Navy as a premier WWII Flagship.
Joseph C. Mika, born June 3, 1925 in Philadelphia, died April 20, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida of natural causes. He leaves behind his wife and best friend of 30 years, Patricia A. Mika.
His 6 children are surely going to miss his dry sense of humor that would always put a smile on our face. Florence Solomon and son-in-law Len, Kathy Perazzo, Robin Sims and husband Mike, Bobby Baggett and wife Ruth, Tim Baggett and daughter-in-law Betty Davis. He was preceded in death by son Fred. His 16 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren as well as all his nieces, nephews and friends will miss this wonderful man.
Joseph C Mika joined the US Navy in January 1943 and was assigned to Sampson, NY for boot camp. Then he moved on to Aviation medal-smith school in Norman, Oklahoma. His first duty station was at North Island in San Diego, California. He proceeded to the USS SANTEE in 1944 which was home ported out of Norfolk, Virginia. His career continued through WWII aboard the USS SANTEE until May 1947 when he received an honorable discharge. During his time in service, Joe was awarded the following medals: 3 Bronze Stars (Asiatic-Pacific); 2 Bronze Stars (Philippine Liberation); Good Conduct Medal; American Campaign Medal; Victory Medal (World War II).
During the 1950's he sailed with the Merchant Marine. After hanging up his sea legs in 1954, he purchased a bar/restaurant named JOELS which he ran successfully for over 14 years. Joseph then started a dye-cutting and embossing company called House of Gold with his son Fred in 1969 and later his son-in-law Len Solomon came aboard. He retired from the House of Gold in 1990.
Other than enjoying his annual reunions with the USS SANTEE, he is famous throughout his family for enjoying his daily cigar and his two scotch and waters.