Edward Breeden Sr.

8 years ago

BREEDEN, Edward, Sr., 89, Presque Isle, June 11, 2016. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Breeden family home, Mapleton. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.

 Edward Breeden Sr.

American Flag ColorSH EdwardBreedenSrOBMAPLETON – Edward “JC” Breeden, Sr., 89, made his final road trip surrounded by family on June 11, 2016. He was born on December 9, 1926, in Etowah, TN, the son of Lutheran H. and Pearl (Tallent) Breeden.

Ed served in the U.S. Coast Guard on the USS Theodore Roosevelt from Nov. 2, 1951 to Dec. 25, 1952. As a Seaman First Class, U.S. Navy, he proudly served on the USS Daly for 11 months at sea supporting American troops on the shores of Iwo Jima. His first action was at Iwo Jima where the USS Daly was one of the smaller fighting ships that supported the hard-hitting carrier task force that pounded Iwo Jima incessantly before and during the campaign. During this operation, his ship repulsed a suicide attack by “Kamikaze” Jap air units in an attempt to sink the ship on the carrier group, successfully shooting down one of the marauders and assisting in the destruction and damage of two others. The USS Daly and her crew picked up survivors from a mortally wounded carrier which was hit by one of the planes that managed to penetrate the AA fire. During a ninety day period, Seaman Breeden and the USS Daly, while acting on anti-aircraft picket duty, contributed to the destruction of 50 Jap planes. In one aerial engagement alone, Seaman Breeden and his shipmates were credited with destroying five suicide planes in the space of five minutes. The ship suffered a near hit but managed to return to its base under its own power, taking more suicide planes under fire as it made its way back. As the announcement of the Japanese Capitu-lation, the USS Daly was busily engaged in sweeping the sea clean of Nip (cargo ships) along the entrances of the Yangtze River on the China coast. Breeden and his ship were also a unit of the U.S. Naval Occupational forces at Nagasaki and Sasebo in Kyushu, Japan.

He is survived by two sons, Roland Guimond of Mapleton, and Jay Breeden, Jr. and his partner, Holly of Mapleton; three daughters, Lorraine Guimond and her partner, Patrick of Wilmington, Delaware, Pauline Paul and her husband, Norman of Wichita, Kansas, and Sue; grandchildren, Zach, Mathew and his wife, Tanya, Caleb, Joshua and his fiancée, Ashley, Jerry (BJ); grandchildren, Noah, Braden, Gavin, Aubrey; and his sister, Frances; and faithful cat, Buffalo.

In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by two daughters, Sherry and Kathy; and two sisters, Lucille and Kat.

A great man, husband, father, granddad, great-granddad and friend will be missed by all. We love you! Say hi to mom for us!

Friends may join the family for a celebration of life and refreshments, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Breeden family home, 268 Carvell Road, Mapleton where a memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. with Dr. Rev. Kenneth Phelps, officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.