Arno entered Boot Camp from Greenwood (Clark Co.), Wis. in February 1943. He served Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Ill.
He was stationed in Little Creek, Virginia, where he was part of the Amphibious Assault Craft Unit, then Fort Pierce, Florida, and then back to Norfolk, Virginia to board the USS Henrico, APA-45, an Army Personnel Assault ship.
Arno participated in D-Day on June 6th, 1944 as part of the assault force of the Henrico. They landed troops over the Easy Red section of Omaha Beach, Normandy. Following the landings at Normandy, the ship proceeded to the Mediterranean and participated in the landing at Baie De Pompelonne, Southern France. After that, their time was spent shuttling troops from England to Southern France and Italy.
Arno returned to the United States, where the Henrico entered the Boston Naval Ship Yards for repairs. Upon completion of the repairs, the Henrico proceeded to Leyte in the Philippine Islands, by way of the Panama Canal and San Diego.
Arno then participated in the invasion of Okinawa. About four miles from Okinawa, the ship was hit by a "Francis" twin engine Japanese Kamikaze bomber. The kamikaze with his bombs struck the starboard side of the Navigation Bridge, causing extensive damage and many casualties. Two hours later the ship was taken in tow to Keram Retto Harbor. After minor repairs, Arno and the ship returned to San Francisco, the ship entered the Bethlehem Shipyard for extensive repairs of her battle damage.
Arno and the USS Henrico participated in operation MAGIC CARPET, the monumental taks of returning the veterans of war home to the United States.
Arno was discharge from the Navy in February 1946.
