Captain Percy Anthony Lilly's Obituary
Captain Percy Anthony Lilly, 94, of Kula, HI, died June 5, 2012 at his home. Private services will be held.Capt. Lilly was born December 28, 1917 in Marysville, CA, and raised in Kentucky.He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from the state of Kentucky, and graduated with the class of 1941 on February 7, 1941. He was assigned to sea duty in U.S.S. STACK (DD406). He spent World War II in Destroyers, U.S.S. Bush, and U.S.S. Steinaker in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. He was awarded The Purple Heart for wounds suffered while on “picket station” in Surigao Straits, Philippines.He commanded U.S.S. Dufilho (DE-423) just after the war ended. Then, he commanded U.S.S. Newport (PF 27), U.S.S. Uhlmann (DD-687) in the Korean War, U.S.S. Lindenwald (LSD-6), U.S.S. Gridley (DLG 21), and Destroyer Squadron 25. He also served in OPNAV, BUPERS, United Nations, Comphiblant Staff, Cincpacflt Staff, and 7th Fleet Staff off of Vietnam.His decorations include Legion of Merit with one Gold Star, Bronze Star Medal with Distinguishing Device, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one Silver Star and one Bronze Star, Victory Medal (World War II), Navy Occupation Service Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, and several Presidential Citations.Following retirement from the Navy in March 1970, Captain Lilly became Harbor Master of Maui County, where we was responsible for harbors on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai until he again retired in 1980.He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Virginia Pemberton-Walker.He is survived by sons Michael A. (Cindy) Lilly, Anthony (Nancy) Lilly; daughters Sheila (Sol) Zaretsky, Maile (Warren) Arnold; 11grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren.
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