JAMES OLEN FORDHAM
MILITARY RECORDS

DATES OF SERVICE

UNITED STATES ARMY - March 10, 1937 - March 9, 1940
UNITED STATES NAVY - March 21, 1940 - August 31, 1956
UNITED STATES NAVY - RETIRED - Rank: Chief Gunners Mate - First Class. (GM1)


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UNITED STATES NAVAL SHIPS



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U.S.S. Vincennes
July 1940 - February 1942.





U.S.S. South Dakota
February 1942 - September 5, 1943

U.S.S. California
September 5, 1943 - January 8, 1946

U.S.S. Augusta
March 11, 1946 - September 15, 1947
U.S.S. Portsmouth
November 25, 1947 - July 19, 1948

Stationed at Portsmouth NSYD from September 30, 1950 thru April 2, 1951




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U.S.S. Hancock
July 1, 1950 - September 30, 1953





U.S.S. Brenner
September 1953 - December 11, 1953

U.S.S. Columbus
December 1953 - July 1955

U.S.S. Macon
December 1955 - July 1956

U.S.S. Albany
August 31, 1956 - November 1956.




AWARDS and METALS
    America Defense service Metal
    America area    		 Navy occupation service Metal
    with EUR. Clasp
    Purple Heart Metal Navy unit Citation
    World War 11 Victory Metal Honorable service ribbon
    Republic of Korea war service Metal Combat action Ribbon
    Navy/USCG unit commendation ribbon Presidential unit citation Foreign
    Good conduct Metal Navy w/3 bronze stars Liberation w/1 bronze star
    America campaign Metal Philippine/Korea
    Asiatic Pacific campaign Metal w/3 bronze stars  


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ACTIONS


August 9, 1942 - U.S.S South Dakota
June, July and October 1944 - U.S.S. California
    Bombardment and occupation of Saipan, Guam, Tinian and Philippine
    Liberation on Leyte Island

    "The California provided heavy gunfire support for the invasions of Saipan, Guam and Tinian during June and July 1944.
    In October and November, she took part in the Leyte Campaign."
October 25, 1944 - U.S.S California
    Battle of Surigao Strait

    Instrumental in the destruction of a FUSO class battleship.

    "Over two and a half years after she was sunk, California reentered combat.
    She took part in the Leyte Campaign, including the 25 October 1944 Battle of Surigao Strait,
    history's last fight between opposing battleships."
October 1952 - U.S.S Hancock
January 1953 - U.S.S Hancock
    West coast of Korea with task force 95
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