WWII Veteran Honored With D.C. Flight

World War II veteran Leroy Hawley of Prairie Grove is one of many veterans who has participated in the Honor Flight, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure.

The organization gives veterans the opportunity to visit the World War II Memorial as well as other military memorials in Washington D.C.

In May 2013, Hawley flew to Washington, D.C. with the Honor Flight and was accompanied by his granddaughter, Whitney Woods Bryant. Hawley's grandson, Vince Hawley, met them in Washington, D.C. and also participated in the tour. Vince has recently retired from the United States Army as a Major. He lives in Maryland where he is in private practice as a veterinarian.

Hawley served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He joined the Navy upon his graduation from Canehill High School and served aboard a Landing Ship, Tank (LST-1042). The boats were was created during World War II to support amphibious operations and carried troops and supplies such as gasoline, tanks, ammunition, bulldozers and trucks.

Following basic training in Idaho, he attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Virginia and later received specialized amphibious training at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa, for service on the LST. During World War II the USS LST-1042 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. The LST he was on carried supplies to Pearl Harbor and returned Korean civilians and Japanese prisoners of war to their countries. They carried as many as a thousand people at a time.

Hawley received an American Area Campaign Medal, a World War II Victory medal and an Asiatic-Pacific Medal for serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

Hawley says he left high school as a young boy but returned with memories, values and experiences that have served him well throughout his life. He remains very patriotic and carries on the value of service to his community by being a lifetime member of America Legion Post 146 of Prairie Grove. He served as treasurer of the Post for approximately 25 years.

Hawley married Irene, his wife of 56 years, in 1946 upon his return from the war. He has two children, six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. He celebrated his 90th birthday on June 10 of 2016.