Pat enlisted in the US Navy on 24 Feb 1943 in Seattle, King Co, Wa. He took his training at the old Naval Base at Farragut Id on Lake Pend Oreille, Bonner Co, ID. (The old base is now a State Park and Wildlife Management Area). He departed there after training and went to San Francisco to be reassigned to Sea duty. On 7 Sep 1943 found him in New Gilly, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. He was promoted to Seaman 1st Class on 10 Oct 1943 and Boat Coxswain on 1 Sep 1944. On 20 Feb 1945 his boat (landing craft) was blown out of the water leaving him severally wounded. At first he was hospitalized at Hilimoi, Milne Bay and was ultimately brought back to the Naval hospital on 8 Mar 1945 at Naval Base Farragut ID. Laura May Walters was a candy striper at the Farragut hospital at the time when they met, a short courtship ensued as they married on 21 Apr 1945, they remained together for 44 years until Pat's death.
Pat's severe head injuries left him fighting a battle with epilepsy the rest of his life. He would not or could not talk about that period of time.
Pat's severe head injuries left him fighting a battle with epilepsy the rest of his life. He would not or could not talk about that period of time.
Pat enlisted in the US Navy on 24 Feb 1943 in Seattle, King Co, Wa. He took his training at the old Naval Base at Farragut Id on Lake Pend Oreille, Bonner Co, ID. (The old base is now a State Park and Wildlife Management Area). He departed there after training and went to San Francisco to be reassigned to Sea duty. On 7 Sep 1943 found him in New Gilly, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. He was promoted to Seaman 1st Class on 10 Oct 1943 and Boat Coxswain on 1 Sep 1944. On 20 Feb 1945 his boat (landing craft) was blown out of the water leaving him severally wounded. At first he was hospitalized at Hilimoi, Milne Bay and was ultimately brought back to the Naval hospital on 8 Mar 1945 at Naval Base Farragut ID. Laura May Walters was a candy striper at the Farragut hospital at the time when they met, a short courtship ensued as they married on 21 Apr 1945, they remained together for 44 years until Pat's death.
Pat's severe head injuries left him fighting a battle with epilepsy the rest of his life. He would not or could not talk about that period of time.
Pat's severe head injuries left him fighting a battle with epilepsy the rest of his life. He would not or could not talk about that period of time.
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