May 11, 1946 letter from James Forrestal, The Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C. to World War II Veteran Cecil Rice thanking him for serving our Nation at a time of crisis.
Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Cecil Rice came to Orlando in 1954 to work as a sales manager for PPG Industries. Veteran Rice served as a Pharmacy Mate in the United States Navy and on the H.M.A.S., His Majesty’s Australian Ship, Warramunga.
Australia did not have any medical technicians of their own so the United States loaned them some. Veteran Rice’s tour of duty in the U.S. Navy included working in hospitals and with the invasion forces in Borneo, New Guinea, throughout the Philippines and the South China Sea.
Regarding his military service he states, “Makes you proud to do your little bit for your country….” He was born on the 4th of July and, “treasures living in a free country. It has been good to me.” He hopes future generations will do the same thing he did and a lot of fellow people who served in WWII: “I’d like them to protect our country.”
LISTEN (17:38) August 15, 2010 – Delaney Street Baptist Church
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Letter from James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, to Cecil Rice, WWII Veteran
May 11, 1946 letter from James Forrestal, The Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C. to WWII Veteran Cecil Rice thanking him for...
Interview with World War II Veteran Cecil Rice at Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, August 15th, 2010. Veteran Rice served as a Pharmacy Mate in the United States Navy and on the H.M.A.S., His Majesty's Australian Ship, Warramunga. Australia did not have any medical technicians of their own so the United States loaned them some. Veteran Rice's tour of duty in the U.S. Navy included working in hospitals and with the invasion forces in Borneo, New Guinea, throughout the Philippines and the South China Sea. Regarding his military service he says, "Makes you proud to do your little bit for your country... I treasure living in a free country. It has been good to me." He hopes future generations will do the same thing he did and a lot of fellow people who served in WWII: "I'd like them to protect our country."
