Vern Wesley Cain

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
US Navy Good Conduct Medal Awarded for outstanding performance and conduct during 3 years of continuous active enlisted service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
No  ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Memorial Marker Photo, Find A Grave Memorial: 56117005
Yes Navy After Action Report, see Naval History and Heritage Command link below
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data

WWII Draft Card Data
Vern Wesley Cain
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 18  -  Relationship to Draftee: Self
Birth Date: in November 13, 1924   -  Birth Place: Everett, Washington
Residence Place: Vancouver, Clark County, Washington
Registration Date: December 26, 1942  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Kaiser Co.
Weight: 155  -  Complexion: Dark
Eye Color: Brown   -  Hair Color: Black   -  Height: 5' 6"
Next of Kin: W.M. Stanton
Members of Household: Vern Wesley Cain, Self

Note 1: The death location, "Near the Ryukyus Islands" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of F1C Cain, this location was validated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his Service Number as 8901675, Navy Rating as Fireman First Class U.S. Navy, and Status as 'Missing In Action'.

B. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency records: "CAIN, Vern W, F1, 8901675, USN, from Washington, USS Trigger, location Ryukyus Islands, missing, date of loss April 20, 1945".

C. The United States Navy Memorial (USNM) records: "CAIN, Vern, F1c, USN, Trigger SS-237, believed March 28, 1945".

D. The States Summary of War Casualties from WW2 - National Archives records: "CAIN, Vern Wesley, Fireman 1c, USN. Father, Mr. Cecil Wesley Cain, 216 W. 7th St., Port Angeles, Wash".

E. Further information on the history of the USS Trigger can be found at the Naval History and Heritage Command website USS Trigger SS-237 and at the Wikipedia website USS Trigger SS-166.

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