Longwood Central School District

Joseph Holmes was born on Nov. 10, 1927. He was the son of Richard and Gertrude Holmes. Before entering the service he was working as a landscaper at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Coram . He attended school at West Yaphank for 8 years and later attended Port Jefferson High School. Holmes entered the Navy in Jan., 1945. he was assigned to Co. 318 at Sampson, New York for 21/2 months and was then assigned to the USS Astoria, which he served on for 12 months. The USS Astoria left the United States in April, 1945 heading for Japan, where they served in the South Pacific in the Philippine Islands, Caroline Islands and participated in the bombing of Japan.