Fireman 1st Class Raymond Camery, was born in Modesto, California on August 29th, 1915. He was killed during the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and will be buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, on July 20.
Navy Fireman (FN) were part of the Engine Room Force, Artificer Branch. Historically, non-rated engine room men were paid at a higher rate than their deck counterparts because of the more strenuous nature of their work. Firemen are responsible for standing engineering watches and performing minor maintenance repairs. This rating is part of an apprenticeship opportunity that leads to training in propulsion and precision welding/fabrication/plumbing
Camery’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with Bronze Star), and the World War II Victory Medal.
Camery’s promotions include: Apprentice Seaman upon enlistment, Seaman 2nd Class, Fireman 3rd Class, Fireman 2nd Class and Fireman 1st Class.
