Birthday celebration of World War II / Korean Veteran - Vincent Simonetti
Members of Oak Island’s American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW and VFW Auxiliary joined to celebrate the birthday of Vincent Simonetti, a World War II and Korean War veteran.
Born just prior to the Great Depression, Vincent joined the Navy at age 17. After spending almost 18 months in the Aleutian Islands, he was assigned to the AKA-25 USS Circe, an attack transport ship. That ship was part of the Battle of Okinawa, and Vincent served in the engine room as a machinist mate. It was reported USS Circe gunners shot down 2 Japanese Kamikaze planes.
After serving in WWII, he settled into civilian life but remained in the Navy Active Reserves. He was called to return to active duty to again serve in the engine room as his ship, the DD-781 USS Robert K. Huntington, participated in the Korean War.
Vincent spent most of his career as a sales representative for numerous baby furniture, mattress and accessories companies. He now spends his days in St. James attending Senior Club gatherings and American Legion meetings.
“All these people! I can’t believe it!”
