5 September 1924-28 November 2005

Pharmacists Mate 1st Class Albert James Antoine was born 5 September 1924 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He joined the U.S. Navy on October of 1941 prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Albert enlisted in Jackson, Mississippi and separated from the Navy in New Orleans, Louisiana. He remained in the Navy until his honorable discharge on 8 November 1954. Antoine was promoted to HM1 on 31 December 1952. HM1 Antoine also served in the Korean War (1951-1953). He finished his Navy career as an X-ray Technician, with a rating as Hospitals Mate 1st Class.

Albert married Frances Marie (Thornton) in 1945, and was married for 60 years. After Military service, he worked in Veteran’s Administration Hospitals in Jackson and Vicksburg Mississippi.

During his Navy career, he attended Hospital Corpsman’s School in Portsmouth, Virginia and was assigned to LST-158 (Landing Ship Tank) for the invasion of Sicily (1943). The LST was a ship designed to carry troops, tanks and other vehicles as well as supplies stores to support amphibious operations and served in all theaters of operations.

PHM1 Antoine served in the Mediterranean aboard that ship and was transferred to the LST-351 for the invasion of Salerno and Anzio, Italy (1943).

The LST-351 then took part in the Normandy Invasion (6 June 1944), ferrying British Troops to Sword Beach.

PMH1 Antoine cared for the wounded aboard the ship and helped in the evacuation of the wounded and dead from the beachhead. During his service aboard the LST-351, he earned the Purple Heart Medal.

His significant awards include Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 5 Stars, National Defense Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

He was awarded the U.S. Korean War Service Medal, the Korean War Service Medal (Korea), and the U.N. Service Medal during the Korean War. HM1 Antoine was earned many Certificates of Achievement throughout his service.

Albert James Antoine, 81 years old, died in his home in Vicksburg, Mississippi on 28 November 2005. He left behind his wife, and children. He is buried at Green Acres Memorial Park, Vicksburg, Mississippi.