Presented By/Date: David Dotterrer, March 5, 2024
Dates of Birth/Death: December 22, 1918 / November 8, 1981
Dates of Military Service: 1943 - 1946
Service Branch/Stations: U.S. Navy, Subchaser (These ships were not given names, just numbers and the family does not have the record of the number)
Highest Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade, Surface Warfare Officer
Veterans Hometown: Barrington, Illinois
My Veteran/Hero served in the South Pacific aboard a subchaser (anti-submarine ship) escorting convoys. An interesting note about his sevice is that he had a draft deferment given that he worked for the Illinois Central Railroad. The railroads were considered so important to the war effort that if you had certain important railroad jobs the decision was to leave someone in that job. He actually had to request a release from his job to join the Navy. When asked later by his children why he did this he said, "Because nobody fights my wars for me."
About this Tribute Tree: Oregon White Oak
Planting Date: April 2024
