WWII

Thomas McDaniel

Rate / Rank
StM 1c

Birthdate
August 6 1922

Date of Death
February 21 1945

Branch
US Navy

Active Duty Service
November 6 1943 - February 21 1945

Significant Duty Stations

Enlisted; Roanoke, Alabama. US Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon; USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95)

Decorations & Citations

Purple Heart; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Notes

US Navy service number 935-06-56. Born; Forest Home, Alabama. McDaniel was the first African American military member from Grady County to be killed by enemy forces. He was among the 318 crew members that were lost February 21, 1945, when the USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) was sunk by kamikaze aircraft near Iwo Jima Island. Father was Major McDaniel of Georgiana, Alabama. Wife was Mrs. Louise McDaniel, Box 300, Rt. 3, Cairo, Georgia. (Later, 205 6th Ave. SW, Cairo, Georgia). Memorial Marker, Punchbowl, Honolulu, Hawaii.