Bill Nacinovich Born: November 8
1921 US Navy; Machinist’s Mate 3rd
Class USS Herbert C. Jones DE-137Service # 9083601
Bill Nacinovich was a Naval LCVP, Landing Craft Engineer, and Operations Instructor. The landing craft, better known as the Higgins boat, was a landing craft used extensively in amphibious landings during World War II.
Mr. Nacinovich trained Army, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel in the correct operation of the Higgins Boats on more than 150 training exercises and amphibious landings. Bill trained American and Allied forces before their Normandy invasion in 1944. His instruction included how to deal with every eventuality when the Higgins Boat is in a combat situation.
In the Spring of 1945, Bill was assigned to the Destroyer Escort DE-137, the Herbert C. Jones. His ship was a new Destroyer, fitted with powerful radio jamming equipment that would help counteract and misdirect the Nazi Terror bombs. This new electronic warfare capability found almost immediate use, jamming, and deflecting into the sea a great majority of the glider bombs directed at the Allied Naval task forces in the North Sea and the English Channel.
Bill earned the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.
1921 US Navy; Machinist’s Mate 3rd
Class USS Herbert C. Jones DE-137Service # 9083601
Bill Nacinovich was a Naval LCVP, Landing Craft Engineer, and Operations Instructor. The landing craft, better known as the Higgins boat, was a landing craft used extensively in amphibious landings during World War II.
Mr. Nacinovich trained Army, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel in the correct operation of the Higgins Boats on more than 150 training exercises and amphibious landings. Bill trained American and Allied forces before their Normandy invasion in 1944. His instruction included how to deal with every eventuality when the Higgins Boat is in a combat situation.
In the Spring of 1945, Bill was assigned to the Destroyer Escort DE-137, the Herbert C. Jones. His ship was a new Destroyer, fitted with powerful radio jamming equipment that would help counteract and misdirect the Nazi Terror bombs. This new electronic warfare capability found almost immediate use, jamming, and deflecting into the sea a great majority of the glider bombs directed at the Allied Naval task forces in the North Sea and the English Channel.
Bill earned the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.