Walter Carl Wittkopp was born January 21, 1919, and died November, 1980. He enlisted in the US Navy August 24, 1937 in Fargo, North Dakota. He reported to the USS Idaho December 18, 1937 and is shown on the muster rolls of the USS Idaho, BB-42, as F2c in March 1939. In September of 1940, he was promoted to F1c. He is shown on the Idaho until August 1941 when he was transferred to Receiving Staion, Norfolk, whereupon he re-enlisted. On the commissioning date of the USS Hornet, CV-8, October 20, 1941, he reported on board as Yeoman 3c. In march of 1942 he is shown as Y2c then promoted in June, 1942 to Y1c. His next assignment shows him on the USS Princeton, CV-23 on February 25, 1943, its commissioning date. Wittkopp is shown as Chief Yeoman (AA) in March of 1943, the last entry for the Princeton. He was probably on board when the Princeton was sunk October 24, 1944 in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He reported to the USS Audubon, APA-149, December 20, 1944, its date of commisioning. It appears that he left the Audubon on November 11, 1945. He had further service, but those records have not been found.
CY Wittkopp's group includes a single officially dated and named slot brooch Navy Good Conduct medal dated 1947, plus his ribbon bar mounted medals that include another impressed GCM dated 1947, American Defense medal with Fleet bar, European Campaign medal, Asiatic/Pacific Campaign medal, and WW2 Victory medal.
