- Date Of Birth: September 2, 1926
- Date Of Death: September 20, 2013
- State: Georgia
Michael Lewis Tonya, from Cumming, Georgia, died on September 20, 2013 in Cumming, Georgia of lengthy illnesses. He was born September 2, 1926 in Bessemer, PA to Andrew Tonya and Joanna Slapnichar Tonya. He graduated from Bessemer High School on June 1, 1944. While in high school, Michael worked at a local brickyard and as a tire builder in Barberton, Ohio. In August, 1944 he joined the U.S. Navy. He attended boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill. After boot camp he attended Radar School in Virginia Beach, VA and then joined the crew of the USS LST 1059 in Pittsburgh, PA. They sailed down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. He continued his training in the gulf cities of Galveston, Mobile, Gulfport and Panama City. After training, Michael s ship left for the Pacific Theatre via the Panama Canal and Pearl Habor.
