GOBLES, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The widow of Gobles man who lived through the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor was presented with a Pearl Harbor Survivors Medal by Congressman Bill Huizenga Sunday
Hazel Baron received the medal on behalf of her late husband George Baron. The presentation took place at Calvary Baptist Church in Gobles. The event included approximately 50 guests in attendance including family, friends, and fellow churchgoers of Mrs. Baron.
Baron served on active duty in the Navy from 1938-1950 and in the Navy Reserves from 1960-1972. He was stationed aboard the USS Argonne, which was docked at a repair dock in Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. George served as a firefighter aboard the ship.
The Argonne was not struck in the attack, but there are reports of machine guns being fired from the Argonne and striking down an enemy plane. The crew from the Argonne is also credited with rescuing wounded men from other ships and working to repair additional ships.
In 1991, Congress authorized this commemorative medal for those present in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, and who participated in combat operations that day against Japanese military forces attacking Hawaii.
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