Edward W. Ranta

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Navy

Edward W. Ranta of Mountain Iron, Minnesota enlisted in the Naval Reserve on February 17, 1944.

He served as a Machinist's Mate 3rd Class aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga in the Pacific Theater during the air offensive of Japan.

In his own words; "On February 21, 1945, at Iwo Jima, the ship got hit by 5 suicide planes and several bombs. We came back to Bremerton, Washington to get repaired, from there back to Pearl Harbor."

He was awarded the following: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal with one Bronze battle star, American Campaign Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Mr. Ranta was honorably discharged on May 11, 1946.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 261.

Site by 3FIVE