Radarman 2C Bernard Rau was one of 35 killed in action when a kamikazi hit the superstructure of the USS England. This action took place near Okinawa where the England was on station. The England was earlier credited with sinking six Japanese submarines in 6 days in 1944. Being severly damaged by a Val kamikazi on May 9, 1945, the England was sent to the rear for major repairs. Rau was originally buried in the Zamami Shima Cemetary. He was later reinterred in the Honolulu Memorial presumably at his families request. It is fairly unusual for sailors that were killed at sea to have been buried in a known grave site.
This group includes his officially engraved type 2 posthumous Purple Heart with its short titled presentation case. There is significant research with this group. A picture of his grave marker in Row N Grave No. 1232 is included.
Spring 2022 sold to a collector.
