Bertram (Buddy) Melvin joined the Navy in Boston, MA in 1942. He was shipped out to the Pacific Theater and served aboard three different ships and was in 10 major naval battles throughout the war. A 5" gun he was next to exploded on the USS Wichita CA-45 and he was hit in the head with a piece of shrapnel, which knocked him unconscious. Still has the dent in his head.
At the end of the War when they lined up to receive their medals, Buddy was supposed to receive the Purple Heart. The Captain apologized to him and said they had run out of medals but he would get one when he got back to home.
In Boston he told the officer in charge that he was supposed to receive the Purple Heart. The officer said that he would need to get a letter from the Captain who was still in Japan.