Not knowing how long he would be alone on a raft in the shark infested Pacific Ocean, Joe GARRETT could do nothing but wait. On the 4th day, he was rescued from the sharks by the Japanese Navy who held him POW for over 3 years. Not content to simply await rescue, he and other soldiers made wooden legs for Allied soldiers whose legs had been amputated. They also stole a tent and made pants.
Joe was awarded both the Prisoner of War medal and the Purple Heart medal in February, 2003 - 61 years after his ship was sunk and he was wounded and captured by the Japanese.
He died of Pneumonia, in Hendersonville, TN.
The medals were presented to Joe by retired U.S. Navy Captain Roy CASH in a formal ceremony on March 25, 2003.
Louise CASH GARRETT, Joe's wife of 58 years, died of pancreatic cancer on April 4, 2003, just 10 days after he received the medals.
The U.S.S. Houston was sunk on her 18th birthday, March 1, 1942.
Joe was awarded both the Prisoner of War medal and the Purple Heart medal in February, 2003 - 61 years after his ship was sunk and he was wounded and captured by the Japanese.
He died of Pneumonia, in Hendersonville, TN.
The medals were presented to Joe by retired U.S. Navy Captain Roy CASH in a formal ceremony on March 25, 2003.
Louise CASH GARRETT, Joe's wife of 58 years, died of pancreatic cancer on April 4, 2003, just 10 days after he received the medals.
The U.S.S. Houston was sunk on her 18th birthday, March 1, 1942.
Not knowing how long he would be alone on a raft in the shark infested Pacific Ocean, Joe GARRETT could do nothing but wait. On the 4th day, he was rescued from the sharks by the Japanese Navy who held him POW for over 3 years. Not content to simply await rescue, he and other soldiers made wooden legs for Allied soldiers whose legs had been amputated. They also stole a tent and made pants.
Joe was awarded both the Prisoner of War medal and the Purple Heart medal in February, 2003 - 61 years after his ship was sunk and he was wounded and captured by the Japanese.
He died of Pneumonia, in Hendersonville, TN.
The medals were presented to Joe by retired U.S. Navy Captain Roy CASH in a formal ceremony on March 25, 2003.
Louise CASH GARRETT, Joe's wife of 58 years, died of pancreatic cancer on April 4, 2003, just 10 days after he received the medals.
The U.S.S. Houston was sunk on her 18th birthday, March 1, 1942.
Joe was awarded both the Prisoner of War medal and the Purple Heart medal in February, 2003 - 61 years after his ship was sunk and he was wounded and captured by the Japanese.
He died of Pneumonia, in Hendersonville, TN.
The medals were presented to Joe by retired U.S. Navy Captain Roy CASH in a formal ceremony on March 25, 2003.
Louise CASH GARRETT, Joe's wife of 58 years, died of pancreatic cancer on April 4, 2003, just 10 days after he received the medals.
The U.S.S. Houston was sunk on her 18th birthday, March 1, 1942.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
